













It 




J 


r’ -r' 






I 

I' 



ii 





2 








A 


I™ 


OF 


BY 


TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE 
« IN rOREIGN LANDS U OPTIC 


Illustrated Per Volume $1.25 Any volume sold separately 


YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD 


First Series. 

I. OUTWARD BOUND ; or, Young America Afloat 

IL SHAMROCK AND THISTLE; or, Young America 
IN Ireland and Scotland. 

III. RED CROSS ; or. Young America in England and 

Wales. 

IV. DIKES AND DITCHES; or. Young America in 

Holland and Belgium. , 

V PALACE AND COTTAGE ; or. Young America in 
France and Switzerland. 

VI. DOWN THE RHINE ; or. Young America in Ger* 

MANY. 


Second Series. 

I. UP THE BALTIC; or. Young America in Norway, 
Sweden, and Denmark. 

II. NORTHERN LANDS; or. Young America in Russia 
AND Prussia. 

III. CROSS AND CRESCENT; or. Young America in 

Turkey and Greece. 

IV. SUNNY SHORES ; or. Young America in Italy and 

Austria. 

V. PINE AND OLIVE, or. Young America in Spain 
AND Portugal. 

VL ISLES OF THE SEA; or, Young America Hoiwe 
WARD Bound. 

So/d by all booksellers, and sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price 

LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers Boston 


' ViX?' *' ' ’ •'j'.'^v/ ■^‘‘ t vlV 

.-- Jr 7 - ' ‘ A- ^ 

'■ i... ^. /’ S', 

’'^* ’7 


^., ‘ -d ,, 



•X‘, 


• V 




w*. 








i Pi. . 's ^ . 

• * • *. f . ' r* f 



i.» 


^ -i^k 41 ' ■^''" 

^ S 5 r'' V, ■ 

* y T - J l^ ^ -•% . 

»'«.V «E| J,vJ>,-,' '-ifl^., ^ 

. t ]i' 


?•! 






\ 


The Travelling Journeymen. — Page 217. 










.T%.s 


.ft- ' '•' 


h< 


-I ^ 


» 

'• -{ 




T 


t:' 




Vi^ 


^■r» 




. •'■BECr 

I jff-'TA* 


'^:m 


r\- 






jt^ 


rT.4. I 


JHiW . , - ji'' . " ' ’ ^ 

* 1 . Z i k •> % 

V- • i. Ic 

rv'^" ", ■ 1 

, i - ' ^ ' V* 

b.ll^.’,w^ ■' 

ITii »• ■ 


dwl^' “ •■ f ' 

«r ■"•■ 


fX 




7? 


4 




vf 


f- 


. j 


—i r 


f 


! "* 


'If 


‘i.' 


K<^ 


• \ 


#mj 




L»J 



' ^ 




'1 I 




» t 




if M 


k'7! 


i ; 1 


r 


' ''.f 




'ii 


1 1 


i J 


) • 

\ *4 


' ‘ •; .1 ' * 
L f f ^ .itL ' 









\*- 




,s^. 




\‘ .. 






\.jl 






M 






1* 


f iL 


V • 




7 





r ■ 


T^1 




• '' ■ - ’’it ' I ' ' ’ VJH' ^jiH»'’''F-' 

^ -ij ■ ' - iir fl • Wt . p;i 

^ , » l' ® ■ j 






9^ 


‘/r 


,?r5- 




ff • 


. I » 


f^,' 




• f< 


4 





:v.; 




*V;J 


'bse^wv.,-,' ■-,- j;-^- 


r* 


w. 







A Story of Travel and Adventure. 


■y. 



V- 


/ 


OLIVER ^OPTIC. 


4 IWl] ^ 


fl ” 


BOSTON 

LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS 

10 MILK STREET 



1 



li'. 






Entered, aecordinj; to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by 
WILLI VM T. ADAMS, 

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 
Copyright, 189", by Alice Adams Kussell. 

All Rights Reserved. 


Dowir THE Rhine. 




0 


TO MY YOUNG FRIEND 


J^AL PH OAKLB T, 




IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. 



-.’r 


A 





• • ■ ^ 





rr. 

•■... ■ ' 1, -■,^ '-'I. 



■|.N 


A 


■ < - -u ’< 


. ’IT 

* ' '> ' ’ :77 • 


V 


fis:. /. vt 


V- i 



I 1 









I 






■■k 



ft' . 


. t 


u* '•■jrjr>i ^ ;:'■ fi » ' ' *iS I-i ^ i < 


'•w V ' •* 


V t 






- ♦ 



i^l^’ r ‘ ^ 

^7>V^'-1 






I ''1 




\ . « r ' V • • 

r’.VlY^ 


I' • ^ . • ) .* » 

" . . 4 * 




I ' 



A".:.^^rra. '1 

'•? '.-C^rv'^:! \- ; ! 

;• ■.aC'C'-, .. 

.'■ * *» H 


-. A .•• 



■ k 


n .fiF 


'r^.- ■ 






'*♦' 

.1 J.?4 





H*. ' 






»/i! 




.* r 


• \ 




n 



I . ♦' 


.Vi Kt Vi 


• > • <^-’- 
•.^ • ' • . i ' 

:< • - ’ f' ' ' V- 


I I 




^ ' ■>. '-, -in' 

' ■> 3.“ V 

* ^ I ». 

' ▼ 


. • > «'• ^4 


X?'' • '.^^i^'-- 


i'S-: 




r. 


*>> 


■■- ■ ’ •■; *7. • 7 

^V- ^ /C-,. ' -> - 7 -*^ •••-•' ^ 

77 iJ7s' '■ '• ♦■v7%'?'?- ■ - "'A '■ '■" 

.*■''♦» ■ . ✓• • • .* • / 4■♦y‘■'' /. ♦'.' ' 'A''* . v« 

', -X V . ’ j cj^*' >* \/‘''^ ^ ■• i ' • 

;.c.;. .A^v . 









PREFACE 


Down the Rhine, the sixth and last volume of the first 
series of “Young America Abroad,^’ is the conclusion of 
the history of the Academy Squadron on its first voyage to 
Europe, with the excursion of the students and their friends 
into Germany, and down its most beautiful river. As in the 
preceding volumes of the series, brief geographical descrip- 
tions of the country visited are given, with a sketch of its 
history, and of whatever may be peculiar or interesting in 
its manners and customs. The travellers enter Germany by 
the way of Strasburg, and visit Freiburg, Schaff hausen, 
Constance, Friedrichshafen, Ulm, Stuttgart, Carlsruhe, 
Darmstadt, Baden-Baden, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Mayence, 
Bingen, Bonn, Coblenz, Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Aix-la- 
Chapelle; but only the most interesting features of these 
places are noticed. 

The story part of the volume relates mostly to a trip of 
the squadron from Havre to Brest, and the cruise of the 
Josephine up the Mediterranean, in which the writer has 
endeavored to show that even injustice is not to be redressed 
by resorting to evil deeds ; and he is quite sure that the 
sympathies of his readers will always be with the members 
of the “Order of the Faithful.” 


( 5 ) 


6 


PREFACE. 


' As the author has before had occasion gratefully to ac- 
knowledge, the success of this series has far exceeded his 
anticipations ; and in bringing the first series to a close, he 
again returns his thanks to his friends, young and old, who 
have so often and so earnestly encouraged him in his agree- 
able labors, — all the more agreeable because they are so 
generously appreciated. He intends, during the coming 
year, to make another trip to Europe, for the purpose of 
visiting all the countries mentioned in the titles of the 
second series; for he is not inclined to write about any 
country until he has seen it. If no unforeseen event inter- 
venes to defeat his plans, the remaining volumes of Young 
America Abroad will soon follow. 

Harrison Square, Mass., 

October 28, I860. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEB 



PAGB 

I. 

Confusion in the Ship. . 

• 

II 

11. 

Close Quarters 

• 

27 

III. 

A Gathering Storm. 

• 

42 

IV. 

The Young America Mutiny. 

• 

57 

V. 

The Order of the Faithful. 

• 

73 

VI. 

In the Steerage 

• 

89 

VII. 

The Visit to the Hold. . 

• 

106 

VIII. 

Short of Water 

• 

123 

IX. 

The Last of the Mutineers. 

• 

140 

X. 

What the Runaways were going to 

DO. . 

158 

XL 

A Short Lecture on Germany. 

. 

174 

XII. 

A Mysterious Movement. 


191 

XIII. 

From Strasburg to Constance. . 

. 

207 

XIV. 

The Storm on Lake Constance. . 

• 

224 

XV. 

Lady Feodora and Sir William. . 

(7) 

241 


j 




8 

CONTENTS. 



CHAPTEB 



PAGE 

XVI. 

Up the Mediterranean. 

• • 

. 260 

XVII. 

Heidelberg and Homburg. . 

• 

. 279 

XVIII. 

Castles, Vineyards, and Mountains. 

. 296 

XIX. 

Coblenz and Cologne. . 

. 

• 309 

XX. 

Homeward Bound. . 

• • 

• 332 


DOWN THE RHINE. 


^ , ■ 












’ '^ ' 'S V 


. » . 






r-‘ V' 

X-‘ * - . .-V' *• ^ • . . , 


y'-r 




f 


« * 




•Wi 


f A '<»V >■ 



' \ 




♦ V 


i * v .' - j i^J.; 

♦ • i'*. *'-*1 »* ^‘*K 

. ,>5i ‘-^v -IIAn; 



• ‘ v^: ‘V ’ O 

*l ■ . ' Ir-A 

■■ 

i 




_' _ # 


• . T' ••. 




\ • 



►’’•.« _j • 


if 


•( 


krf I.* ■ * 



r i* 


■' ■■I- •’ . -- 




«. ^ 


•/* 


ii',’ ,-^- 


«• ^ 




"a*i 




1 T 


/ • ^ 


• > ' V 
'/'* M ’,* V. ''^4* . 

I I • • * i V ’ ' t. ■ ^ ' • V ' J 

fV ,v^>v 



. . .• • V 

>>'. 

V; - 

I V 1 i' 

. • *«> 

■^f' 




» v’» 


v,/;:j.a 





^ . 


-H 






.M 




.‘J 


'* *' 

i V *vi 




r 


. 'i' 







- i 



« • 


I . ' I • » 




^ If * ■ . ■ ^ 


■V . 1 



L . ’-SW *V^. V- - ' r .* ^ . ■• 

:; c^.:*-'. - . ;)‘- . *' . ' ' - - 

. j.’-y . • 

. t . '* •■■ ■-. ^ 


-i'' 


rf 




* i« 


f’> 


■‘^'1 



< .r 




/f ..'v: x 5 








' •'■ •■ ■ ' - 'i^iF 





- . , if - ' 

•• , - 

*v f . : 1* ■ 







®..: v.(;^ .V » - 

«iC>' -MV-'^' •^/ . . '..v'\> 


:■ 


4 , 


#• ' • 4 





'/■ 










DOWN THE RHINE; 


OR, 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


CHAPTER I. 


CONFUSION IN THE SHIP. 

LL hands pipe to muster, ahoy ! ” screamed the 



new boatswain of the Young America, as he 


walked towards the forecastle of the ship, occasional- 
ly sounding a shrill blast upon his whistle. 

At the same time the corresponding officer in the 
Josephine performed a similar service ; and in a mo- 
ment every officer and seaman in both vessels had 
taken his station. The squadron lay at anchor off the 
harbor of Havre. The students had returned the da^ 
before from a delightful tour through France ano 
Switzerland — all except the thirty-one who had per- 
ferred to take a cruise on their own account in the 
Josephine ; and these had been performing ship’s duty, 
and making up back lessons, while the vessel lay 
at anchor in the port of Brest. Perhaps it was nor 
strictly true that these malcontents were sick of the 
game of running away, but it is strictly true that they 


(ii) 


12 DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

were disgusted with the penalty which had been im- 
posed upon them by the authorities of the Academy. 
It is to be regretted that they were not moved to peni- 
tence by their punishment, and that they were ripe for 
any new rebellion which promised to be even a partial 
success. They had been deprived of seeing Paris, — 
which is France, — and the beautiful scenery of Swit- 
zerland, by their folly ; and they had taste enough to 
realize that they had sacrificed the best part of a tour 
in Europe. 

Those who had participated in the excursion were 
enthusiastic in their belief that they had had a good 
time ; and the frequent discussion of the pleasures of 
the trip did not tend to diminish the discontent of the 
'“unaways. It was absolutely intolerable to think they 
ad been compensating for past deficiencies in their 
studies, while their shipmates were gazing upon the 
magnificent palaces of Paris, the picturesque cottages, 
and the sublime mountain scenery of Switzerland. 
Perhaps their temper was not improved by the reflec- 
tion that others had been permitted to enjoy what they 
were not allowed to see, for envy is one of the ugliest 
and most uncomfortable of human passions. Boys, 
like men and women, fret because they cannot have 
what others possess, either as the gift of partial For- 
tune, or as the reward of their own superior skill and 
perseverance. 

If the runaways had not learned wisdom from their 
failure, they had acquired discretion. The leaders in 
the mad scheme could now see just why and where- 
fore they had failed ; and they believed — if they were 
to have the opportunity to do the deed over again — 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 3 

they could make a success of it. The machinery of 
tlie secret organization .was now disgusting to them, 
though it had enabled them to make the capture of 
the vessel. They were disposed to cast it all aside, 
and resort to new methods for future occasions. As 
a general rule, they were wise enough to keep still, 
and only among themselves did they express their 
chagrin and disappointment, or suggest that they were 
not entirely cured of their tendency to run away. The 
strict discipline of the squadron could not be evaded, 
and they were compelled to perform all their duties. 

It was the beginning of a new term in the school. 
New officers had succeeded the old ones, or the posi- 
tion of the latter had been materially changed. The 
members of the order of the Knights of the Golden 
Fleece found themselves scattered by the new ar- 
rangement. Not less than a dozen of them had been 
transferred to the consort, while Tom Perth, the lead- 
ing spirit of the runaways, had attained to the dignity of 
second master of the ship, more by his natural abilities 
than by any efforts he had made to win a high place. 
As yet he had found no opportunity to arrange a plan 
for further operations with his confederates, for Mr. 
Fluxion, the vice-principal, was in the charge of the 
schooner, and his eyes and ears were always open. 
The return of the tourists from their excursion re- 
stored the routine on board of the vessels. 

Everything was changed, and at first hardly an offi- 
cer knew where he belonged, or what his duty was. 
Confusion reigned on board the ship and her consort, 
while the stlidents were finding and preparing their 
new berths. Happily, the changes were all made be- 


14 DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

fore dinner time, and everything settled down into its 
wonted order and regularity. After the midday meal 
was served, all hands were piped to muster, in order 
that the officers and seamen might be exercised in 
their new situations. The details of sea duty were 
well understood by all. Those alone who had been 
promoted from the steerage to the after cabin were in 
the dark in regard to their duty, though in these in- 
stances the parties had a general idea of what was 
required of them. But it was necessary to have the 
crew ready to work together, for the seaman who had 
hauled on the weather-brace in. tacking was now an 
officer, and the stations of many were new and strange 
to them. 

Shuffles in the ship, and Terrill in the consort, 
proceeded to execute all the manoeuvres required in 
handling the vessel, from getting under way to com- 
ing to anchor again. Nearly all the officers and crew 
were zealous to perform their several parts correctly ; 
but there were enough of the discontented ones, who 
shirked as much as possible, to create considerable 
confusion. The captain of the Young America was 
not satisfied with the manner in which the various 
evolutions were performed ; so he began at the begin- 
ning, and went over all the ground again, to the great 
disgust of the runaways in his crew, who had been 
doing this sort of thing for four weeks, while the 
others were enjoying the beauties of the mountain 
scenery. 

“ What’s the matter. Captain Shuffles ? ” asked 
Commodore Kendall, when the commander finished 
the routine a second time, and was still dissatisfied 
with the result. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. I^ 

“ It doesn’t work well,” replied Shuffles, biting 
his lip. 

“ A new broom sweeps clean, they say,” laughed 
the flag officer. “ Perhaps you are more particular 
than your predecessors were.” 

“ I think not. The ship would have miss-stayed 
under such handling as we have to-day, to say nothing 
of the clumsy look of it,” continued the new captain. 
“ I shouldn’t wish to be out in a gale with a crew as 
slack as ours is just now.” 

What’s the trouble?” asked the commodore, rath- 
er anxiously. “ I saw that things did not work well.” 

“ There is trouble somewhere, and I think I can 
see where it is.” 

“ What is it?” 

“ Certain parties in this ship don’t like me very 
well, just now.” 

“ You mean the runaways,” suggested Paul. 

“ Of course.” 

“They are making a mistake if they are slack in 
their duty,” added the commodore, rather indignantly. 
“ They wish to go with us on our next excursion : but I 
don’t think they can win the privilege in this manner.” 

“ Wilton and Howe are doing all they can to maK.e 
things go wrong,” said Captain Shuffles, who was 
more in sorrow than in anger at the conduct of these 
worthies. “ If they are doing it to spite me, they are 
only spiting themselves. I am going through these 
manoeuvres until they are a little more ship-shape, at 
least.” 

The new captain ordered all hands to take their sta- 
tions for getting under way, and Commodore Kendal’ 


i6 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


went aft, though he still carefully observed the conduct 
of the seamen. The clumsiness, and the intentional 
blunders of certain of the crew seemed to indicate that 
there was a conspiracy to defeat the purposes of the 
commander. First, Howe tumbled down while the 
hands were walking round the capstan ; Spencer 
stumbled over him, and a dozen boys were thrown in 
a pile upon them. Then Richmond and Merrick 
dropped their handspikes overboard, through an open 
port, when the order was given to restore these arti- 
cles to their proper places. 

Little snarled himself up in the gasket on the fore- 
topsail yard, and dropped off, as though he had fallen, 
though he clung to the rope, and was brought up 
with a jerk ten or twelve feet below the spar. Some 
of his gang, believing he had really fallen, screamed, 
and the attention of the whole crew was drawn off 
from their duty. When the fore-topmast staysail and 
jib were to be set, somebody had fouled the down- 
hauls, so that they could not be hoisted. There was 
a kink in the halyards of the main-top gallant-sail, so 
that it would not run through the block. Clewlines, 
clew-garnets, leachlines, and buntlines were in a 
snarl. The zeal of those who were striving: to do 
their duty faithfully seemed to make the matter worse, 
and the officers found it difficult to determine who 
really made the mischief ; for the malcontents pre- 
tended to be as enthusiastic as their shipmates. Strong 
expressions and hard words were freely used by the 
vexed seamen, and certainly such a scene of confusion 
had never before been observed on board of the ship, 
even when a large proportion of the crew were green 
hands. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


17 

Captain Sliiiffles was deeply grieved by the miscon- 
duct of the crew ; for, standing on the quarter-deck, he 
could not distinguish between the intentional and the 
unintentional blunders of the crew, and therefore be- 
lieved that the disaffection was much more extensive 
than was really the case. The zealous efforts of one 
portion of the crew to rectify the mistakes of another 
portion only increased the confusion, and some of 
those who were actually doing their best appeared to 
be the real authors of the difficulty. The captain was 
drilling his crew in simultaneous movements, and it 
was difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain exactly 
the source of the unwonted confusion. 

While the routine of evolutions was thus bunglingly 
performed, the principal and the professors, who had 
been discussing an interesting question of discipline 
in the main cabin, came on deck. Perhaps the fact 
that Mr. Lowington was not on deck had encouraged 
the conspirators in creating the confusion which per- 
vaded the decks and rigging. As he was the last to 
ascend the companion-way, he paused on the steps, 
with his head on a level with the deck, to note the pre- 
cision of the drill. He was not noticed by the con- 
spirators, and, unfortunately for them, they continued 
in their career of insubordination. The quick eye of 
the principal readily detected the nature of the mis- 
chief, though it was as impossible for him as for the 
officers immediately to indicate the authors of the con- 
fusion which prevailed throughout the ship. 

“ This does not look much like going down the 
Rhine this week,” said Mr. Lowington to Commo- 
dore Kendall, as he stepped upon the quarter-deck. 


i8 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ I don’t think it does, sir,” replied Paul, grieved 
and indignant at the miserable exhibition of seaman- 
ship which the crew then presented. 

“ This is a strange sight on board of this ship,” add- 
ed the principal, biting his lips with vexation, for, as 
usual, when the young tars displayed their seaman- 
ship, there were plenty of spectators on shore, and on 
board of other vessels in the roadstead. 

“ I certainly never saw anything like it since we 
first began to learn ship’s duty in Brockway harbor.” 

“ The Crew appear to be hazing the new officers,” 
continued Mr. Lowington, who could not fail to per- 
ceive that a large portion of the apparent blundering 
was intentional. 

“ Of course there isn’t a seaman on board who does 
not know his duty.” 

“ They are not familiar yet with their new stations, 
and a little confusion is unavoidable,” said Mr. Low- 
ington, willing to make all reasonable allowances. 

“ But they have already been through the routine 
two or three times,” suggested Paul. 

Are the crew dissatisfied with the election ? ” asked 
the principal. 

“ I have not heard any dissatisfation expressed ; but 
[ suppose some of them don’t like Shuffles, especially 
ihose who went off in the Josephine.” 

“ There are not twenty of them left in the ship ; 
and it seems as though the whole crew were engaged 
in this frolic.” 

At this moment a gang of the waist men, who were 
walking away with the main-topsail sheets, were sud- 
denly piled up in a pyramid on deck. The second 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 9 

fellow in the line had fallen down ; the next had 
tripped over him, and those that followed tumbled into 
the heap. It is more than probable that some, whose 
estimate of the value of good order was not very high, 
though they were tolerably good boys in the main, 
were tempted by their love of fun to take part in what 
appeared to them only a frolic. A scene of violent 
confusion ensued in this particular part of the deck. 
Some, who were near the bottom of the pile, were 
hurt by those who fell upon them, and the tempers 
of others were not improved by the mishap. Hard 
words followed, those at the bottom blaming those 
at the top, and those at the top growling at those 
at the bottom. Some were rubbing their elbows, oth- 
ers their shins, and all appeared to be anxious to ascer- 
tain who had produced the mischief. 

“ Pipe to muster. Captain Shuffles,” said the prin- 
cipal, stepping up to the bewildered commander. 
“ We have had about enough of this.” 

Shuffles gave the order to the first lieutenant, and 
it was duly transmitted to the boatswain, whose shrill 
pipe soon assembled the whole ship’s company in the 
waist. 

“ We shall catch it now,” said Spencer, one of the 
runaways, to Howe, as they met near the rail, a little 
outside of the crowd. 

“ No matter ; he is only going to preach to us,” re. 
plied Howe through the corner of his mouth, while 
he tried to look as innocent as one of the chaplain’s 
lambs. 

“ We shall not have a chance to go down the 
Rhine if we do things in this way.” 


20 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ I don't want to go down the Rhine ; at least, not 
till I have been through Paris and Switzerland.” 

“ But we want to go ashore with the other fellows, 
or we shall have no chance to go anywhere.” 

“ Shut up ! Don’t talk about that here. If we 
don’t go, no one will go. This is bully 1 We shall 
get things mixed so that the officers won’t know a 
lamb from a goat.” 

“ Bob Shuffies hasn’t made much yet as captain,” 
laughed Spencer. 

“ We’ll get even with him yet,” added Howe, still 
talking through the corner of his mouth, and looking 
all the time at the principal, who had taken his place 
on the hatch. 

Mr. Lowington, as the rogue had suggested, only 
intended to “ preach.” He had observed the insubor- 
dination of the crew, and he regretted it exceedingly, 
for he was as careful of the reputation of the ship as of 
his own. There was an evident intention on the part of 
a large portion of the ship’s company to haze the new 
officers. Such a purpose was unworthy the character 
of young gentlemen, and he hoped that such conduct 
as he had just witnessed would be discontinued. In a 
day or two he purposed to start for Germany, but he 
could not leave the ship unless he was satisfied that 
every one orr board knew his duty ; for on their return 
they might be compelled, by some unforeseen event, 
to go to sea at once, and the crew did not appear to 
know how to set and furl a sail. The officers, from 
the captain to the lowest rank, appeared to have per- 
formed their duty faithfully ; and all the trouble was 
in the execution of their orders. In conclusion, he 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


21 


announced that the drill would be resumed in halt an 
hour, and directed the commander to pipe down. 

“ That didn’t hurt anybody,” said Howe, as he 
walked forward with Spencer. “ Let us keep it up.” 

“We may get caught at it.” 

“ No need of that. Accidents will happen.” 

“Yes; but they don’t happen all over the ship at 
the same time.” 

“ Well, they may, you know,” laughed Howe. “ In 
fact, I don’t see how accidents are to be avoided while 
we have such a fellow as Shuffles for captain. If 
there is any one in the ship that I despise, it is vShuf* 
lies.” 

“ So say we all of us ! ” 

“ The snivelling, canting, whining puppy 1 Have 
you any idea that his merit-marks made him captain 
of the ship? ” continued Howe. 

“ I suppose they did.” 

“Tell that to the marines! Wasn'’t he acknowl- 
edged to be the worst fellow in the ship when we 
crossed the Atlantic? Wasn’t he the ringleader in all 
mischief and scrapes?” 

“ But he has reformed.” 

“ Reformed I ” sneered Howe. “ He has turned 
hypocrite, if that is what you mean by reformed. I 
don’t believe in that sort of bosh.” 

“ He’s the pet of the principal and the instructors.” 

“Yes; and they have given him marks enough to 
make him captain, just to show good fellows, like you 
and me, what a saint can do. It is all humbug! 
Why, he got more marks than Kendall, Gordon, Ha- 
ven, and the rest of those cabin nobs, who are ht to 


22 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


enter the senior class in a college. I am satisfied that 
his merit-roll was doctored so as to make it come out 
as it did.” 

“ I don’t believe Lowington would do any such 
thing as that,” suggested Spencer, shaking his head. 

“ Don’t you? Well, I do. What’s the use of talk- 
ing ! Didn’t Shuffles jump from the steerage into the 
captain’s state-room?” 

“ Any other fellow may do the same thing. Look 
at Tom Perth, who lost a heap of marks for running 
oft' in the Josephine, as the rest of us did. He is sec- 
ond master. If it hadn’t been for our scrape, very 
likely he would have been captain.” 

“ Don’t you believe it.” 

“ If Lowington had not been fair, and let every fel- 
low go just where his marks carried him, Perth would 
not have had a place in the cabin.” 

“ O, the principal only wanted to break us up bv 
taking our best fellow away from us. He couldn’t 
drive Tom Perth, and now he’s going to lead him — 
bait him with sugar and offices.” 

“ Some of the fellows say Shuffles can’t handle the 
ship without the help of the principal,” said Spencer. 

“ Of course he can’t ! ” exclaimed Howe. “ Hasn’t 
he proved that already? If Paul Kendall had been 
captain, he would have spotted every fellow that made 
«ny trouble. Let us keep it up, Spencer, and we 
shall soon prove that Shuffles can’t handle the ship. 
That will be enough to satisfy me.” 

The approach of an officer interrupted the conver- 
sation ; but Howe passed from one to another of the 
malcontents, and instructed them what to do in the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


23 


next drill. They were to create all the confusion they 
could in the discharge of their duty. They were to 
misunderstand the orders, and to blunder in the exe- 
cution of them, in such a manner as to conceal thei' 
own agency in the mischief, and divide the responsi- 
bility of it among their companions. The runaway 
crew of the Josephine, mortified at their failure, were 
still fretting because they had not visited Paris and 
Switzerland. They were ready to listen to evil coun- 
sels, and regarding Howe as their leader since the 
promotion of Perth, they promised to follow his 
instructions to the letter. 

“What are we going to make by it? ” demanded 
Sheffield, who doubted the policy of the proceeding. 

“ We are going to prove, in the first place, that 
Shuffies can’t handle the ship,” replied Howe. 

“ Perhaps you may prove it, even if you don’t be- 
lieve what you prove.” 

“ But I do believe he can’t handle the ship.” 

“ I don’t. I hate Shuffies as bad as any fellow, but 
I believe he is as good a sailor as any person on board* 
man or boy.” 

“That’s all in your eye!” retorted Howe, con- 
temptuously. “ He may be able to get along while 
we are lying in port, but I should like to see him work 
the ship in a gale of wind.” 

“ Pie can do it,” answered Sheffield, confidently' 
“But he is a flunky, and spoiled all our fun in the 
Josephine. I am willing to throw him over for being 
a hypocrite, and selling us out as he did. What else 
are we to gain ? ” 

“ We shall help along our chances of going down 


H 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


the Rhine, and,” whispered Howe, “ of seeing Paris 
and Switzerland.” 

“ I don’t see it.” 

“Well, I do. If we cave in and pretend to be 
lambs when we are lions, we shall have to do duty 
while the rest of the fellows are having a good time 
on shore. If we show that we are still wide awake, 
Lowington wdll take us with him, because he will not 
dare to leave us on board.” 

“ He will leave Fluxion with us.” 

“ Not much ! I heard some of the fellows say that 
Fluxion was going to Italy to see his mother, or his 
sister, or somebody that is sick there.” 

“ I heard that.” 

“ If it is true, Lowington will not leave us behind, 
especially if he finds we are not as gentle as lambs.” 

“ Perhaps not ; but as the matter stands, we are 
already condemned to stay on board during the rest of 
the season.” 

“ I know that ; but Lowington will let us ofL” 

“ He w’ill be more likely to do so if we behave 
well.” 

“ Not he ! Don’t you believe it.” 

“ They say Shuffles is teasing him to remit the rest 
of the penalty.” 

“ Shuffles ! ” 

“ That’s so ; and Lowington promised to consider 
the matter. Tom Perth told me this ; and he heard 
Shuffles talking to the principal about it.” 

“ Humph ! I don’t want to go on those terms,” re- 
plied Howe, in disgust. “ That’s some more of Shuf- 
fles’s cant ! One of his sensations ! He thinks he 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 25 

whipped US out on board of the Josephine, and now he 
wants to be magnanimous with his victims. If we go 
with the crowd, it will be because Lowington is afraid 
to leave us behind. We are not a set of babies, Shef- 
field, to be whipped and sent to bed when we are 
naughty. Neither are we sailors before the mast, to 
be kicked here and there, at the pleasure of our mas- 
ters. What do you suppose the fellows came to 
Europe for, if it was not to see the country? Are 
we to be left on board just because w’e went on a little 
lark ? Not much ! ” 

“ That’s all very good, but it won’t go down,” 
laughed Sheffield. 

“ I’m not going to eat humble pie for any one. Do 
you mean to tell me I am not as good a fellow as Bob 
Shuffles?” 

“ I didn’t say you were not.” 

“ Am I not his equal?” demanded Howe. 

“ I suppose you are, if you behave as well.” 

“ Behave as well ! ” sneered the orator. “ I behave 
well enough, and I’m not going to be put down, nor 
beg my rights of Bob Shuffles. If I am left on board, 
for one, when the fellows go down the Rhine, I in- 
tend to break things.” 

“ Don’t break your own head.” 

“ Let me alone for that. If our fellows have any 
spirit at all, they will not be left behind. In the next 
drill, things will be mixed, and no one can tell who 
makes the mischief. Our fellows are not the only 
ones that don’t like Shuffles, and you will 'find that 
about half the crew will help snarl things up. Now, 
keep your weather eye open, Sheffield. Take my ad- 


26 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


vice, and don’t whimper. Our fellows have a little 
business in Paris and Switzerland, and we shall attend 
to it in a week or two. There goes the pipe. Mind 
your eye, Sheffield.” 

The boatswain’s call sounded through the ship, and 
officers and crew hastened to their stations. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


27 


CHAPTER II. 


CLOSE QUARTERS. 



HE malcontents in the ship were, apparently, 


1 the most zealous seamen on board. Certainly 
no one would have siisj^ected them of organizing any 
mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined 
to do their duty promptly. Howe, Wilton, Little, 
and others had done their work thoroughly and se- 
cretly. They had arranged at least a dozen different 
tricks for making confusion among the crew. To each 
one of the discontented a part had been assigned, 
w'hich he was to perform in such a way as to con- 
ceal his own agency. 

Captain Shuffles was planking the quarter-deck 
with the commodore. Everybody could see that he 
was not entirely at his ease. His position was a novel 
one to him, and he was oppressed by its responsibili- 
ties, especially since the crew had behaved so badly at 
the first drill. He could not help knowing that a por- 
tion of the crew were opposed to him, and would do 
anything they could to annoy him. The situation 
was a difficult one ; for, at the commencement of his 
term of office, he did not wish to have any of the sea- 
men punished for neglect or disobedience, even if he 
could discover the guilty ones. 


28 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

Mr. Lowington was not on deck. lie had pur- 
posely gone below, for he wished the new captain to 
act on his own responsibility, and overcome the diffi- 
culty alone. This was in accordance with his jDrevi- 
ous course, when, even in a gale of wind, he permitted 
the young officers to handle the ship without any dic- 
tation. Though the action adopted by the boys was 
not always in accordance with his own judgment, he 
never interfered unless an obvious and dangerous blun- 
der was made. His policy had worked well thus far, 
and was disposed to continue it. In the present 
instance, he was no better informed than the captain 
in regard to the real cause of the difficulty. He be- 
lieved it was merely the efiect of a fun-loving sj^irit 
on the part of the crew ; a mere disposition to haze 
the new officers a little, and perhaps prove what they 
were made of. He hoped the new officers would sat- 
isfy them, and, if necessary, send a dozen or twenty 
of the mischief-makers to the mainmast for punish-, 
ment. 

“ All hands, up anchor, ahoy ! ’’ piped the boatswain, 
after he had received the order from the captain, 
through the proper officers. 

Those whose stations were at the cable and cap- 
stan sprang to their places with unwonted alacrity. 

“ Bring to, forward ! ” added the first lieutenant, 
giving the order to attach the messenger. “ Ship 
and swifter the capstan bars ! ” 

As it was not intended to get the ship actually under 
way, only a portion of the work indicated by the or- 
ders was really executed. The form of hooking on the 
messenger was gone through with, as also were the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 29 

various preparations for catting and fishing the anchor. 
The capstan bars were inserted in the pigeon-holes. 

“Heave round !” shouted the first lieutenant; and 
the order was repeated by the second lieutenant, whose 
station is on the forecastle. 

Everything appeared to be i^rogressing with proper 
order and regularity, and Captain Shuffles hoped the 
warning words of the principal had produced an im- 
pression upon the minds of the mischief-makers. But 
appearances are very deceptive. While the hands 
were walking around the capstan, four of the bars 
suddenly came out of the pigeon-holes at the same 
instant, and a dozen of the seamen were thrown, ap- 
parently 'with great violence, upon the deck. The 
bars, confined at one- end by the swifter, swung round 
and cracked the shins of others, and a scene of con* 
fusion ensued, which set at nought all ideas of disci- 
pline. 

No one was badly hurt, but every one was excited. 
Those who were not concerned in the plot caught the 
spirit of mischief from the others, and, with but few 
exceptions, the crew joined in the sport. The seaman 
who originated the trouble had simply neglected to 
insert the pins which confine the capstan bars within 
the pigeon-holes, or had left the bars with the heads 
against the pins. As nearly all joined in the frolic, 
there were none to inform against others, and it was 
simply impossible for Leavitt, the second lieutenant, 
or Ellis, the first master, — under whose eye this 
breach of discipline had occurred, — to determine 
who the ringleaders were. 

Shuffles and the commodore were intensely annoyed 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


30 

at this scene, and immediately went forward. By this 
time, those who had been thrown upon the deck, 
which included nearly all at the capstan, had picked 
themselves up. The Knights looked even more inno- 
cent than those whom they had dragged into the 
scrape, and the high officers from the quarter-deck 
were no wiser than the lieutenant and master. In the 
midst of the confusion, Howe and Wilton had re- 
moved the pins from the bars, which still remained in 
the drumhead of the capstan. 

“Mr. Leavitt, how did this happen?’’ demanded 
Captain Shuffles. 

“ Plalf the bars dropj^ed out of the capstan all at 
once, and the hands were thrown down,” replied the 
lieutenant, who was hardly less annoyed than the 
captain. 

“ Were the bars pinned in?” 

“ I supposed they were, sir.” 

Captain Shuffles walked up to the capstan. Not a 
single pin was inserted. 

“ Let your midshipman see that the bars are prop- 
erly pinned and swiftered next time,” said the com- 
mander, as he walked aft to resume his place on the 
quarter-deck. 

“ Unship the bars ! ” said Leavitt ; and they were 
restored to the rack, leaving everything as it was be- 
fore the drill began. 

The crew were piped to muster, and the order 
to weigh anchor repeated. The capstan bars were 
shipped, and this time, the midshioman whose station 
was on the forecastle satisfied himself that they were 
securely pinned, and so reported to the second lieuten* 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 3 1 

ant. As the rogues* had made no provision for this 
state of things, they were thrown upon their own 
resources for the means of defeating the operation a 
second time. Commodore Kendall had placed him- 
self in position to watch the movement, and the offi- 
cers in charge had pinned their eyes wide open, fully 
resolved that the authors of the trouble should not 
escape a second time. 

Directly abaft the capstan was the fore-hatch, over 
which lay the path of those who walked around at 
the bars. Ordinarily the hatch was closed when the 
capstan was used ; but, on the present occasion, a 
plank had been placed across the aperture, to avoid 
the necessity of putting on the hatch, and thus exclud- 
ing the air from the kitchen, where the cooks were 
baking their daily batch of bread. 

“ Heave round ! ” said the first lieutenant. 

“ Heave round ! ” repeated the second lieutenant ; 
and the hands at the capstan began their circular march. 

By some means not observed by the vigilant officers, 
the plank over the fore-hatch slowly travelled along 
until one end of it barely caught on the combing of 
the hatch. Half a dozen seamen had given it a kick 
with their heels as they passed over it, and it was 
soon in condition to drop into the steerage below. 
Little stepped upon it, and down it went. Releasing 
his hold of the bar, he dropped upon the steps below, 
and disappeared. Sheffield followed him, and then 
Ibbotson. The hands at the other side of the capstan 
took care that the party should keep moving. A few 
well-disposed boys, when they came to the hatch, — 
which was not more than four feet wide, — leaped 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


32 

across it, as any of them might have done, if they had 
not been infected with the spirit of mischief. 

“Avast heaving! ” shouted the second lieutenant. 

At this instant one of the lambs was on the comb- 
ing of the hatch, and he must either go over or hang 
by the bar ; so he pushed along, and his movement 
brought another into a similar position. Seeing how 
the case was, the rogues kept the capstan going, in 
spite of the commands of the officers, until two thirds 
of the gang had dropped into the steerage. It was 
finally suspended by the efforts of the excited officers, 
who took hold of the bars with their own hands, and 
counteracted the efforts of the rogues. 

The young rascals in the steerage pretended to be 
hurt more seriously than they were, though some of 
them had struck the steps or the floor below with 
force enough to make them feel a little sore. They 
began to limp, and to rub their shins and shoulders, 
their heads and arms, very vigorously, as though they 
believed that friction was a sovereign remedy for 
aching bones. 

“ Why didn’t you stop. Hunter, when I ordered 
you to do so?” demanded Leavitt, indignantly. 

“I couldn’t, sir,” replied the lamb, speaking only 
the simple truth. 

“ Yes, you could ! I will report you for disobedi- 
ence.” 

“ I was right over the hatch, and I had either to go 
down or jump over : I couldn’t stop there.” 

“ And you did the same thing, Hyde,” added the 
officer. 

“ I couldn’t help it, sir,” replied he. “ When Hun- 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


33 

ter got over, he dragged me so far that I couldn’t 
stop.” 

Why didn’t you let go, then?” demanded Leavitt, 
angrily. 

“ 1 was afraid the next bar would hit me in the 
head.” 

Both of these boys were ordinarily models of pro- 
priety, and they had not, for an instant, intended to do 
anything out of order. The real culprits were all at 
the foot of the stairs, rubbing their limbs and making 
the most terrible contortions, as though their legs, 
arms, and heads were actually broken. The officers 
had all seen Hunter and Hyde pushing along the bars 
after the order had been given to stop. They seemed 
to be guilty, and they were required to report at the 
mainmast to the first lieutenant, for discipline. The 
second lieutenant then went down the fore-hatch, 
where the appalling spectacle of a crowd of sufferers 
was presented to his view. 

“ Are you hurt. Little?” he asked, turning to the 
most prominent victim of the catastrophe. 

“ Yes, sir,” groaned Little, twisting his back-bone 
almost into a hard knot, and trying to reach the seat 
of his injury with both hands at the same time. 

“How happened you to fall through?” inquired 
Leavitt, more gently than he had spoken on deck, for 
the sight of all this misery evidently affected him. 

“ I don’t know, sir,” answered Little, with one of 
his most violent contortions. “ I was looking up at 
the fore-yard arm, and — ugh ! — the first thing I knew, 

I was — O, dear! — I was down here, with that — 
ugh ! — with that plank on top of me.” 

3 


34 


DOWN rilE RHINE, OR 


“Are you much hurt?” 

“ I don’t know. It aches first rate,” cried Little, 
with a deep, explosive sigh. 

“Well, go aft, and report to the surgeon.” 

“ I don’t want to go to the surgeon. He mauls me 
about to death. I shall be better soon.” 

“ On deck, all who are able to do so I ” added Leav- 
itt. “ Bennington, you will ask Dr. Winstock to at- 
tend to those who are hurt, and report to the first 
lieutenant.” 

But it did not appear that any one was so much in- 
jured as to require the services of the surgeon, for the 
whole party went on deck at the order. Little still 
writhed and twisted. Howe rubbed his knee, and 
Spencer nursed his elbow. Commodore Kendall, who 
had witnessed the whole affair, did not see how it W’as 
possible for them to tumble down the hatchway with- 
out injuring themselves, and he was willing to believe 
that the appearance was not deceitful. He had kept 
his eyes fixed upon the crew as they walked round the 
capstan, but he was unable to determine whether the 
mishap was the result of accident or intention. 

Again the captain came forward ; but after consult- 
ing with Paul, he returned to the quarter-deck with- 
out making any comments. The two lambs had re- 
ported to the first lieutenant, and the matter had gone 
to Captain Shuffles, who directed the culprits to be sent 
to the principal. They went into the steerage, and 
knocking at the door of the main cabin, Mr. Lowing- 
ton came out, and heard their statement. They were 
ordered to their mess-rooms to await an investigation. 

The hatchway was closed^ apd d’e ^rder man the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


35 


capstan was given a third time. The injured seamen 
had in a measure recovered the use of their limbs, and 
though the}^ still limped and squirmed, they took their 
places in the line. Either their will or their ingenuity 
to do mischief failed them, the third time, for the form 
of heaving up the anchor to a short stay was regularly 
accomplished. The commodore and all the officers 
in the forward part of the ship watched the operation 
with the keenest scrutiny, and when it was success- 
fully finished, they hoped the end of all the mishaps 
had come. 

“Pawl the capstan! Unship the bars! Stations 
for loosing sail ! ” continued the first lieutenant. 
“ Lay aloft, sail-loosers ! ” 

The nimble young tars, whose places were aloft, 
sprang up the rigging. 

“ Man the boom-tricing lines ! ” 

But the boom-tricing lines appeared to be in a snarl, 
and it was some time before they were ready for use, 
being manipulated by some of the mischief-makers. 

“ Trice up ! ” shouted Goodwin, the executive officer. 

Up went the inner ends of the studding-sail booms. 

“Lay out ! ” added Goodwin. 

“ Lay out ! ” repeated the midshipmen in the tops ; 
and the seamen ran out on the foot-ropes to their sev- 
eral stations for loosing sail. 

At the same time, the forecastle hands were loosing 
the fore-topmast staysail, jib, and flying jib, and the 
after-guard, or quarter-deck hands, were clearing away 
the spanker. 

“ Loose ! ” said the executive officer ; and the hands 
removed the gaskets, stoppers, and other ropes, used 
to confine the sails when furled. 


3 ^ 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Stand by — let fiill ! ” was the next order. 

At this command all the square sails should have 
dropped from the yards at the same instant, but as a 
matter of fact, not half of them did drop. Sheets, 
buntlines, bowlines, lifts, reef-pendants, and halyards 
were fearfully snarled up. Some of the seamen on 
the yards were pulling one way, and some another ; 
Eome declared the snarl was in one place, others in 
another place. The rogues had realized an undoubted 
success in the work they had undertaken. Vainly the 
midshipmen in the tops tried to bring order out of con- 
fusion. Those who were actually laboring to untangle 
the ropes only increased the snarl. 

The condition of affairs was duly reported to the 
captain, who had become very impatient at the long 
delay. The masters were then sent aloft to help the 
midshipmen unravel the snarl, but they succeeded no 
better. It was evident enough to all the officers that 
this confusion could not have been created without an 
intention to do it. An accident might have happened 
on the main or the mizzen-mast, but not on every yard 
on all three of the masts. 

“ What are you about? ” asked Perth, who had been 
sent into the main-top, as he met Howe. 

“ We have come to the conclusion that Bob Shuffles 
can’t handle this ship,” whispered the ringleader of 
the mischief, with a significant wink. 

“You are getting us into a scrape.” 

“ Well, we all are in the same boat.” 

“ Don’t carry it too far,” suggested Master Perth. 

“Carry what too far?” demanded Robinson, the 
midshipman in the top, who had heard a word or 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


37 


two of the confidential talk — enough to give him at, 
idea of what was in the wind. 

“ Dry up, old fellow,’’ said Perth, with some confu- 
sion, as Howe, who had come down from the yard to 
cast off a line, sprang back to his place. 

“What did you mean by that remark of yours?” 
inquired the midshipman. 

“ I told Howe not to carry the end of the buntline 
too far. It was wound three times around the topsail 
sheet.” 

“Was that what you meant?” asked Robinson, sus- 
piciously. 

“ Don’t you see that buntline?” replied Perth. “ It 
is fouled in the sheet, and he was pulling it through 
farther, so as to snarl it up still worse.” 

“ All right,” replied the inferior, who, however, was 
far from being satisfied with the explanation. 

“ All right ! ” retorted Perth, smartly. “ Is that the 
way you address your superior officer. One would 
think I was responsible to you for my words and ac- 
tions.” 

“ I didn’t mean that,” added Robinson. 

“What did you mean?” 

“ I only said all right to your explanation.” 

“ You did — did you ? ” said Perth, severely. “ Then 
you called me to an account, and now you acquit me ! ” 

“ I beg your pardon. Whatever I said, I did not 
mean anything disrespectful,” pleaded Robinson. 

“ Is this the kind of discipline among the officers? 
If it is, I don’t wonder that the crew get snarled up. 

I don’t like to blow on a fellow, but I’m tempted to 
send you to the mainmast.” 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


5 ^ 

“ I didn’t mean anything.” 

Master Perth turned from his abashed inferior, as- 
cended the main rigging, and with a few sharp orders*, 
compelled the topmen to unsnarl the ropes. He was 
afraid the midshipman would report what he had said 
to the captain, and he had attempted to intimidate him 
into silence by threatening him with a similar fate. 

“ On deck ! ” hailed Perth from the top. “All ready 
in the main-top, sir,” he added, when the third lieu- 
tenant answered his hail from the waist. 

After a delay of half an hour, a like report came 
down from the fore and mizzen-tops. The masters re- 
turned to their stations on deck, and everything was in 
readiness to continue the manoeuvre. Captain Shuffles 
was in earnest conversation with Commodore Kendall. 
A more unsatisfactory state of things could not exist 
than that which prevailed on board of the Young 
America. The conduct of the crew amounted almost 
to mutiny. Those who had maliciously made the 
mischief, and those who had been engaged in it from 
a love of fun, had succeeded in confounding those 
who meant to do their duty. It was impossible to 
tell who were guilty and who were innocent; for 
three quarters, at least, of the crew seemed to be con- 
cerned in the confusion. 

“ It is clear enough that they are hazing me,” said 
Captain Shuffles, sadly. “ I don’t know that I have 
done anything to set the fellows against me.” 

“ Certainly not,” replied Paul, warmly. “ You have 
only done your dut}'. I have no doubt those fellows 
who ran away in the Josephine are at the bottom of it. 
If I am not very much mistaken, I saw Howe, on 


YOUNG AMERICA 11^ GERMANY. 

the main-topsail yard, tangling up the buntlines and 
sheets.” 

“ I have heard that these fellows intended to get 
even with me,” added Shuffles, with a smile, as 
though he had not much fear of them. 

“ I should keep the crew at work until they did 
their duty. I would keep them at it night and day, 
till they can get the ship under way without any con- 
fusion,” added Paul, earnestly. 

“ I intend to do that, but I do not like to be hard 
upon them.” 

“ There is no danger of your being too hard.” 

“ Whether I am hard or not, Fm going to have the 
work done in ship-shape style, if we drill till morning. 
All hands, furl sails,” said he to the first lieutenant. 

The boatswain’s call sounded through the ship. 
The necessary orders were given in detail, and after 
considerable confusion, the sails were all furled, and 
the ship restored to its original condition. 

“ Pipe to muster,” continued the captain. 

Under this order all the officers assembled on the 
quarter-deck. Captain Shuffles addressed them in the 
mild tones in which he usually spoke, as though he 
was not seriously disturbed by the ill conduct of the 
crew. Assigning a lieutenant, a master, and a mid- 
shipman to each mast, he directed them to set each 
sail separately, without regard to others. They were 
to set the topsails first, then the other sails up to the 
royals. Other officers were directed to drill the sea- 
men stationed at the head sails and the spanker. 

During this conference Howe and his associates 
were congratulating themselves upon the success of 


40 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


their vicious schemes, and encouraging each other to 
persevere if another drill was ordered. They were 
curious to know what the captain was doing with the 
officers on the quarter-deck ; but they concluded that 
it was only a meeting to “ howl ” over the miserable 
discipline of the ship. But their wonderings were 
soon set at rest by the boatswain’s call of “ All hands, 
make sail, ahoy ! ” 

They sprang to their stations as zealously as though 
they had no thought but for the honor of the ship. 
They soon discovered that a new order of proceeding 
had been introduced. The masters and midshipmen 
perched themselves in the rigging, where they could 
see the movements of every seaman. The adult for- 
ward officers — Peaks, the boatswain, Bitts, the car- 
penter, and Leech, the sailmaker — also went aloft, 
and stationed themselves on the topmast-stays, so that, 
besides the lieutenants on deck, the commodore, and 
the past officers, there were three pairs of sharp eyes 
aloft to inspect the operations on each sail. 

Howe and his associates were not a little discon- 
certed at this array of inspectors, and still more so 
when the order was given to loose only the topsails. 
Peaks, on the main topmast-stay, caught Howe in the 
very act of passing the gasket through the bight of the 
buntline. The veteran tar came down upon him with 
such a torrent of sea slang, that he did not attempt to 
repeat the act. The topsails were then set as smartly 
and as regularly as ever before. After the inspectors 
had seen all the sails set and furled in detail, the top- 
sails, top-gallant sails, and courses, with the jib and 
spanker, were set as usual, when the vessel got under 
way. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


41 


By the time the routine in detail had been practised 
two or three times, the officers began to know where 
to look for the mischief-makers. Peaks had exposed 
the ringleader, and the conspirators were finally beat- 
en at their own game. But Captain Shuffles was not 
satisfied ; and when the crew were dismissed from 
muster, he hastened to the main cabin to consult with 
the principal. 

The conspirators, at close quarters, had lost the day, 
and discipline was triumphant. 


42 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


CHAPTER III. 

A GATHERING STORM. 

M r. LOWINGTON, I should like to go to sea 
for a day or two,” said Captain Shuffles, when 
he had obtained the ear of the principal. 

“ Go to sea ! ” exclaimed Mr. Lowington. “ Why, 
I thought you were all in a hurry to go down the 
Rhine.” 

“ I am not at ail satisfied with the discipline of the 
ship,” answered the new captain. “ It requires about 
as many officers as seamen to execute any manoeuvre, 
and I think we need more practice in ship’s* duty before 
we make any more tours on shore.” 

“ How did you succeed in your second drill?” 

“ We went through with it after a while ; but it was 
only with two officers in each top, and the adult forward 
officers on the stays, that we could set a single sail.” 

“ Have you ascertained who is at the root of the 
mischief? ” 

“ Howe, for one.” 

“ The runaways, probably,” added Mr. Lowington, 
thoughtfully. 

“ I have no doubt all of them were concerned in it ; 
but at least half the crew- took part in the mischief. 
We finally went through all the forms with tolerable 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


43 


precision. Two or three days’ service at sea will en- 
able us to put everything in good working order. The 
officers also ought to have a little practice in their new 
stations.” 

“ When do you wish to go to sea ? ” 

“ Immediately, sir,” replied Shuffles. 

“To-night?” 

“Yes, sir. I think any delay would be injurious to 
discipline. The crew have been hazing the officers 
now for two hours, and have had the best of it most 
of the time. If we went to sea without any delay, I 
think it would be understood.” 

“You are right. Captain Shuffles. Where is Corm 
modore Kendall?” 

“In the after cabin, sir.” 

“ Send for him, if you please.” 

The commander sent one of the waiters to call Paul, 
who presently appeared. 

“ Captain Shuffles wishes to go to sea to-night,” said 
Mr. Lowington, with a smile, as the young commodore 
entered the cabin ; “ and I think he takes a correct 
view of the situation.” 

“To-night!” exclaimed Paul, whose thought im- 
mediately flashed from the ship to the Hotel de I’Eu- 
rope, in Havre, where Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle and 
Grace were domiciled, having come down from Paris 
by the morning train, to be in readiness to start with 
the ship’s company for the Rhine. 

“ I know what you are thinking about, Paul,” 
laughed the principal. “You may go on shore, and 
invite the Arbuckles to join us ; or, as we can work 
the ship very well without a commodore, you may 
stay on shore with them until our return.” 


44 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Invite them to go with us,” suggested Shuffles. 
“ I think the presence of our friends will have a good 
edect upon the crew.” 

“ I should be very glad to have them go with us,” 
replied Paul. 

“ It is a little doubtful whether we return to Havre 
again, for Brest would be a better place for the vessels 
to lie during our absence in Germany,” said Mr. Low- 
ington. 

“ We cannot sail at once — can we?” asked Paul. 

“We can get off this evening,” replied Mr. Low- 
ington. “ Let the stewards of the ship and the con- 
sort go on shore, and get a supply of fresh provisions. 
The commodore, in the mean time, can wait on the 
Arbuckles. I see no difficulty in getting off by 
sunset.” 

“ It will be rather short notice for the Arbuckles,” 
suggested Paul. 

“ They are ready to go to Germany at an hour’s no- 
tice, and it will require no more preparation for this 
voyage. You can go on shore at once. Commodore 
Kendall. Captain Shuffles, you will hoist the signal 
for sailing ; send a boat to the Josephine, and I will 
give you a letter for Mr. Fluxion.” 

The arrangement agreed upon. Captain Shuffles 
went on deck, and directed the first lieutenant to pipe 
away the commodore’s barge. The third lieutenant 
was detailed to serve in this boat. As its crew went 
over the side. Captain Shuffles saw that Howe, Spen- 
cer, and four others of the runaways were of its num- 
ber^ under the new station bill. This fact induced 
to send Peaks with the lieutenant in charge, so as 






. . 'j. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


45 


to guard against any mischief. The third cutter was 
sent to the Josephine, with the principal’s letter. In 
this boat, Little was the only runaway. The first 
cutter soon after left the ship with the steward, to 
bring off a load of fresh provisions. 

As the third cutter was obliged to wait for Mr. 
Fluxion to write an answer to Mr. Lowington’s letter, 
the crew were allowed to go on board of the Jose- 
phine. The sight of the signal for sailing, which had 
been hoisted on board of the Young America, caused 
no little excitement in the consort, as, in fact, it did 
on board of the ship. It looked like a very sudden 
mpv'ement, for all were anticipating their departure 
for Germany by the next or the following day. The 
principal had told them they would leave in a few 
days, and not a word had been said about going to 
sea in the interim. 

“What’s up?” asked Greenway, one of the run- 
aways, who had been transferred to the Josephine, as 
Little came on deck. 

“I don’t know — only that we are going to sea,” 
replied Little. “ We have had high times on board 
of the ship.” 

“ What have you been doing?” 

“ Hazing Shuffles,” said Little, in a whisper. 

“And I’ll bet that is the reason why we are going 
to sea, instead of going to Germany,” answered Green- 
way, with something like disgust in his looks and in 
the tones of his voice. 

“No. matter; we have proved that Shuffles can’t 
handle the ship. He had to call on old Peaks to help 
him before he could get the main-topsail set.” 


46 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ But if you play these games we shall be left on 
board while the rest of the fellows go down the 
Rhine.” 

“ Not much ! Fluxion is going to Marseilles to see 
his grandmother, or somebody else, and if we only 
make mischief enough, Lowington won’t dare to 
leave us on board.” 

Little explained the views of Ilowe, which he had 
adopted as his own, to the efiect that the more mis- 
chief they made, the better would be their chances of 
joining the excursion to German}^ Green way was 
foolish enough to take the same view of the question. 
If the vice-principal was obliged to go away, Mr. 
Lowington would not dare to leave the runaways 
with any other person. 

“ But we don’t want to go to Germany,” added 
Little. 

“Why not?” 

“ Simply because we have not been to Paris and 
Switzerland,” replied the little villain, as he led his 
companion to the forecastle, where no one could over- 
hear them. “ We are going to have the time we bar- 
gained for when we sailed in the Josephine. If we go 
with the rest of the fellows, we intend to take French 
leave of them as soon as we find an opportunity to do 
so. On the whole, I had just as lief stay if Fluxion 
is not to have the care of us, for we can slip through 
the hands of any other man in the squadron.” 

“ There is some money in Paris waiting for me,” 
said Greenway. 

“ There is some waiting for a lot of our fellows,” 
replied Little. “I intend to claim mine as soon as 
the party begin to go down the Rhine.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


47 


“What’s the plan? How are the fellows to eet 
cfT? ” asked Greenway. 

“ Every one must manage that to suit himself. We 
had better go in little parties of three or four.’’ 

“ O, no ; it’s better to keep together,” protested 
Greenway. 

“ I don’t think so. If we attempt to do anything 
together again, we shall be watched. We must look 


out for our chances.” 

“ But our fellows are separated now, and we can’t 
do anything alone.” 

“ \ es, you can. When you see a good opportunity 
to stait for Paris, start. That’s all you have to do.” 

“ I don’t like this way.” 

It s the best way. Don’t you see that when we 
are missed we can all be caught in a bunch again. 
If we go in a dozen different squads, they will have 
to chase us in as many different directions. If we 


start with the fellows for Germany, we shall step out 
as we have the chance to do so. I don’t believe in 
more than two or three going together.” 

“ But some of us may not have any money,” sug- 
gested Greenway. 

“ Then they must borrow some of those who have it.” 

“ Lowington got hold of two or three drafts, or bills, 
sent to the fellows.” 

“ Only two or three,” replied Little, lightly. “ Those 
fellows can either borrow, or go with the lambs.” 

The Knights of the Red Cross, afterwards of the 
Golden Fleece, had written to their fathers, asking 
them for remittances to be sent to Paris, where, after 
sailing around to Marseilles in the Josephine, and 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


48 

going the rest of the way by railroad, they were to get 
their letters. Most of their parents had complied with 
the request, but two or three of them had taken the 
precaution to inform the principal of the'fact, and the 
bills had been cashed, the proceeds being placed to 
the credit of the students in whose favor they had been 
drawn. As long as the boys wrote home, the fathers 
and mothers seldom communicated with the principal. 
Most of the rogues had been informed in their letters 
from home that the money wanted had been remitted, 
xind awaited their order in Paris. The runaways, 
therefore, would be in funds sufficient for their stolen 
excursion as soon as they could reach their destina- 
tion. The only thing that disturbed them was the 
difficulty of obtaining enough in the beginning to pay 
their railroad fare to Paris. 

While Little was instructing Greenway in the pro- 
gramme for the future, the crew of the third cutter 
were called away, and the conference was abruptly 
closed. The purport of the letter which the officer in 
clpirge of the boat bore to the principal, was, that Mr. 
Fluxion did not desire to leave the consort for his visit 
to Marseilles until the close of the week. Howe was 
perhaps nearer the truth than he really believed when 
he declared that Mr. Lowington would not dare to 
leave the runaways on board of either vessel in charge 
of any other person than the vice-principal. He had 
been strongly inclined to grant the petition of Shuffles 
in their favor ; but when it was almost proved that the 
party were the cause of all the confusion which had 
occurred on board of the ship during the afternoon, 
that they were in a mutinous frame of mind, he was 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


49 


not willing to encourage their insubordination. He 
was much disturbed by the difficult problem thus 
thrust upon him. Dr. Carboy, the professor of natural 
philosophy and chemistry, v/ho had spent several years 
in Germany, had volunteered to take charge of the run- 
aways, and he seemed to be the only person who was 
available for this duty. He was no sailor, and only 
a fair disciplinarian, and Mr. Lowington had not en- 
tire confidence in his ability to manage thirty of the 
wildest boys in the squadron — discontented under the 
punishment to which they were subjected. 

Though everything was orderly on board of the 
ship, there was a great deal of suppressed excitement, 
not to say indignation, for the crew did not like the 
idea of keeping watch and reefing topsails, instead of 
voyaging down the beautiful Rhine. The movement 
looked like a punishment, and many of the crew felt 
themselves to be entirely innocent of the blunders and 
failures made in handling the ship. They had done 
their best, and thought it was not fair to punish the 
innocent with the guilty. Doubtless it was not fair; 
but it was a question which related to the discipline 
of the crew, as a whole, and not a dozen of those who 
had made the mischief could be identified, even by the 
seamen who had worked in the rigging with them, 
much less by the officers. 

The mischief-makers themselves did all they could to 
foment this spirit of discontent among those who were 
ordinarily well disposed. They assumed the respon- 
sibility of declaring that the trip into Germany had 
been indefinitely postponed. Probably, with the self- 
conceit incident to human nature, they really believed 
4 


50 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


they were no worse than the best of the crew, and they 
desired to involve all their shipmates in the odium 
of the insubordination which had taken place. 

“ No Rhine, except pork rind,” said Little, as he 
met Raymond in the waist, after the latter had ex- 
pressed his dissatisfaction at the new order of things. 

“Do you think so?” asked Raymond, who had 
read enough of the splendid scenery of the Rhine to 
make him very anxious to see it. 

“A fellow that isn’t blind can see — can’t he? — if 
he opens his eyes,” demanded Little. “ What did the 
new captain do this afternoon, the very minute the 
crew were dismissed from their stations? ” 

“ I don’t know. What did he do?” inquired Ray- 
mond, curiously. 

“ Didn’t he rush down into tlie main cabin? Didn’t 
he have a long talk with Lowington? Then, wasn’t 
the signal for sailing hoisted at once? I tell you this 
is all Shuffles’s doings.” 

“ Why should Shuffles want to go to sea any more 
than the rest of us?” asked Raymond. 

“Why should he? Isn’t he the captain of the ship 
now? Doesn’t he want to try on his new authority, 
and see how it fits? Don’t he want to punish the 
crew because they didn’t drill well this afternoon ? I 
believe you are a little deaf in one eye, Raymond, or 
else you can’t hear in the other. It’s all as plain as 
. e figure-head on a French frigate,” continued Little, 
vvith enthusiasm enough to convince any dissatisfied 
Beaman. 

“ Perhaps it is as you say.” 

“ I know it is.” 




V 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 51 

“ The drill was very bad. Kvery fellow knows 
that.” 

“ What if it was? Whose fault was it? ” 

“ I don’t know whose fault it was ; but everything 
went wrong, and I suppose the new captain is not sat- 
isfied with the state of discipline on board. I should 
not be, if I were he.” 

“ Two of your little lambs are cooped up in their 
state-rooms now for disobedience of orders.” 

“ Who are they ? ” 

“ Hunter and Hyde.” 

“ Two of the best fellows in the ship — never got a 
black mark in their lives,” said Raymond. 

“O, well! The new captain will put you pious 
fellows through a course of sprouts that will open 
your eyes. Shuffles is a liar and a hypocrite. He 
has his reward, while an honest fellow, like me, will 
stick to his bunk in the steerage till the end of the 
cruise.” 

“ I don’t believe Shuffles is a liar, or a hypocrite. 
You don’t like him because he broke up your cruise 
in the Josephine.” 

“ That’s not the reason. I am willing to obey the 
orders of all the officers, but I don’t like to see the 
crowd punished for nothing,” replied Little, leading 
the auditor back to the original topic. 

Raymond was not yet a good subject for the mis- 
chief-maker to work upon, though, like a majority of 
the crew, he was dissatisfied with the change in the 
programme. Going to sea meant strict dicipline ; and 
after making up their minds to have a good time on 
shore, it was not pleasant to think of hard work and 
hard study for the next week or two. 


52 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ There comes the commodore’s barge,” cootinued 
Little, as he pointed to the boat, which was rapidly 
approaching the ship. “The Arbuckles are on board, 
with all their trunks. What do you think of that, 
Raymond ? ” 

The mischief-maker looked triumphant. The pile 
of baggage in the boat seemed to furnish sufficient 
testimony to clinch the argument he had used. 

“ That looks like a long cruise, certainly. I sup- 
pose they are going with us,” replied Raymond, with 
a sorrowful and disappointed look. 

“ To be sure they are. In my opinion we are going 
to sail for Belfast, to convey the Arbuckles home. 
You won’t see any Rhine, except a pork rind, on this 
cruise. If the fellows have any spunk at all, they 
won’t stand this thing.” 

“ Stand it ! What can they do? ” asked Raymond, 
who really believed the crew to be unfairly treated. 

“ Don’t you know what they can do? Who works 
the ship?” 

“ We do, of course.” 

“ Who would work her if we did not?” 

“ Well, I suppose she would not be worked at all,” 
replied Raymond, smiling. 

“ Then, if all the fellows respectfully refuse to man 
the capstan, or to unloose a sail, till they have their 
rights, who will get the ship under way?” 

“ We are not going to do anything of that sort,” 
answered Raymond, rather indignantly. “ It would 
be mutiny.” 

“ You needn’t call it by that name, if you don’t 
wish to. Lowington promised the fellows a trip 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 53 

down the Rhine. Now, because the new captain 
could not handle the ship, we are to be sent off to sea. 
If the fellows had any grit at all in their bones, they 
would show Lowington that they are not slaves to 
him, or any other man.” 

“ I think we won’t talk any more about that,” said 
Raymond, as he moved off, for the bold speech of the 
mischief-maker alarmed him, and caused him to real- 
ize that he was listening to one of the ringleaders of 
the runaways. 

The commodore’s barge came up to the gangway. 
The ladies were assisted up the steps, and the trunks 
hoisted on board and stowed away in the after cabin. 
The two state-rooms, which had been built for the use 
of the commodore and the past officers, were appro- 
priated to their use. 

If Raymond, and such as he, were not willing to 
listen to the mutinous counsels of the runaways, he 
was not the less dissatisfied and discontented. The 
arrival of the Arbuckles, ‘with their baggage, indi- 
cated that the trip to the Rhine had been abandoned. 
Perhaps the well-disposed students could have submit- 
ted to this disappointment, if it had not been inflicted 
upon them as a punishment. It seemed to them that 
they were to suffer for a whim of Shuffles. The run- 
aways had taken pains to disseminate this idea among 
the crew, as they had also succeeded in involving the 
whole of them in the mischief which induced the prin- 
cipal to go to sea that night. 

All over the deck and throughout the steerage, the 
boys were grumbling and growling like regular old 
salts, whose prerogative it is to find fault. When 


54 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


Howe and Spencer returned in the barge, they readily 
perceived the state of feeling on board. Little told 
them what he had said and done, and convinced them 
that the whole crew were ripe for a strike. The em 
tire ship’s company were discussing their grievances, 
and even a large portion of the officers were dissatis- 
fied. Very likely the sudden elevation of Shuffles had 
created a feeling of jealousy in the minds of a portion 
of them. 

The mischief-makers were prompt in taking advan- 
tage of this state of feeling in the crew. They fanned 
the flame of discontent, and it was not difficult to con- 
vince their shipmates that they were very hardly used ; 
that the new captain was imposing a heavy burden 
upon them. Some of the best disposed of them were 
in favor of waiting upon the principal, and represent- 
ing their vievt^ of the case to him ; but the more im- 
petuous ones laughed at this plan. Shuffles was the 
principal’s pet, and he would support his protege 
against everybody else on board. The students talked 
as boys talk, and acted as boys act. At that moment 
Shuffles was the most unpopular fellow on board, for 
it was understood that he had proposed and advocated 
the obnoxious measure. The ship’s company were 
willing to believe that Mr. Lowington had yielded his 
assent to please the new captain, rather than because 
he deemed it necessary to go to sea himself. 

By the time the first cutter returned, a large majori- 
ty of the students had decided that something should 
be done. They could not agree upon the precise step 
to be taken. Some advocated a protest, others a re- 
spectful refusal to do duty ; and a few went in for a 





t 



YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


55 


square mutiny. The provisions were transferred from 
the cutter to the ship, and the boat was hoisted up 
before the perplexing question could be settled. 

After supper, let every fellow go to his mess- 
room. Don’t answer the boatswain’s call to weigh an- 
chor,” said Raymond, who had made considerable 
progress in rebellion since his conversation with Little. 

“ Ay, ay ! That’s the talk ! ” responded half a doz- 
en of the group, who had been anxiously discussing 
the question. 

“ No, no ! ” added half a dozen others. 

“Why not?” demanded Raymond of the oppo- 
nents of the plan. 

“ Because the Arbuckles are on board, for one rea- 
son, and because it will be mutiny, for the second,” 
said Tremere, who volunteered to be spokesman for 
the opposition. “ Mr. Arbuckle has taken us through 
Switzerland, and paid all the bills, and has invited us 
to another excursion on the same terms. Now, when 
he comes on board with his family, to take a little sail 
with us, we refuse to do duty. It Idoks like contempt 
and ingratitude to him.” 

“ It has nothing to do with him,” replied Raymond, 
warmly. “ Here is the whole matter in a nutshell. 
Mr. Arbuckle invited us to take a trip into Germany, 
and Mr. Lowington promised that we should go. 
Then, because we don’t drill quite as well as the new 
captain wishes, he insists upon going to sea. The 
cruise down the Rhine is given up, and we are to 
carry the Arbuckles to Belfast.” 

“Who says we are going to Belfast?” demanded 
Tremere. 


56 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ All the fellows say so.” 

“ That doesn’t prove that we are going there. I go 
for obeying orders, wherever we go.” 

“ No, no ! ” replied a dozen of the group. 

“We don’t intend to do anything wicked,” said Ray- 
mond. “ When the boatswain calls, we don’t answer 
— that’s all. Then the officers will want to know 
what the matter is, and we shall have a chance to ex- 
plain our position. When we get fair play, we shall 
be all right, and return to duty.” 

The group separated, and while the ship’s company 
were waiting for the supper call, those in favor of the 
strike used all their influence to carry their measure, 
while those who were opposed to it remained passive. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


51 


CHAPTER IV. 

THE YOUNG AMERICA MUTINY. 

I T was impossible for the advocates of the mutiny 
to determine what success had attended their 
efforts, when the crew were piped to supper. Howe 
and Little were delighted to find the work in which 
they were interested progressing so finely. Nearly 
the whole crew were arrayed against the new captain, 
and in half an hour the grand explosion would take 
place. Not more than twenty of the students were 
expected to respond to the boatswain’s call to get 
under way, and it would be impossible to go to sea. 
The seamen went below at the supper call, but most 
of them were too much excited to eat their usual 
allowance. 

The officers, who were to take their supper at a 
later hour, were all on deck. Paul Kendall was 
seated by the side of Grace Arbuckle, enjoying a 
pleasant chat, while her father and mother were in 
conversation with the principal. Captain Shuffles 
was planking the deck, apparently engaged in deep 
thought. Possibly the events of the afternoon dis- 
turbed him, for he had already received a hint that 
the ship’s company were much dissatisfied at the idea 
of going to sea. He could not see why they should 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


i'8 

be. If the crew did their duty, and everything 
worked well, the squadron would proceed immedi- 
ately to Brest, and the cruise need not last more than 
two days. He knew the programme himself, but he 
forgot that it was the policy of the principal to keep 
the destination of the ship a secret, as a general rule, 
until she was out of sight of land. The Arbuckles 
had brought their baggage with them, because the 
party was to proceed to Brest, and would not return 
to Havre. 

Popularity is certainly a very insecure possession ; 
for, three weeks before. Shuffles had been the favorite 
of the whole ship’s company. Now, he was the most 
unpopular person on board ; partly, it is true, because 
he was misunderstood. Both officers and seamen 
regarded him as the cause of the present movement. 
Most of them believed, or at least feared, that the trip 
to the Rhine had been abandoned, and that the new 
captain was responsible for this change in the pro- 
gramme. They concluded that he preferred to exer- 
cise his new authority, to roaming on sho»e, where he 
was, practically, no more than any other student. It 
was true that Shuffles had suggested to the principal 
the idea of going to sea, as a measure for perfecting 
the discipline of the crew. Mr. Lowington had per- 
mitted the captain to fight his own battle with the 
crew, and he fully believed that a little sea service 
was necessary, after the disorder and insubordination 
which had prevailed in the ship during the drill. 
Some of those who complained the loudest had per- 
mitted their love of fun to get the better of their dis- 
cretion, and had joined in the disorder which prevailed 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 59 

during the drill. Many well-disposed boys had as- 
sisted the conspirators against the peace of the ship 
by joining in what appeared to them to be but a mere 
frolic, while it was, in fact, an organized attempt to 
make mischief. They had encouraged the spirit of 
insubordination, without supposing they were engaged 
in anything more than a mere lark, involuntary on 
their part, and suggested only by the circumstances of 
the moment. 

From the captain’s stand-point, the confusion had a 
very grave aspect; while from that of the seamen, it 
was a matter of trivial consequence. The commander 
was mortified to find the discipline so weak ; and he 
could have no confidence in himself or his crew 
until his orders were promptly obeyed. He was 
thinking only of the welfare of the ship and her crew. 
He had no intention of punishing the students, when 
he suggested the plan of going to sea, — only of per- 
fecting the discipline. It seemed to him just as though 
three weeks on shore had demoralized the ship’s com- 
pany. Though he was now aware that the runaways 
had done what they could to make trouble, the confu- 
sion seemed to be too extensive to be accounted for by 
their agency. Two of the best boys on board had 
been sent to the mainmast for disobedience ; and it 
was clear that the runaways had not produced all the 
trouble. 

The commodore fully sustained him, and believed 
that it was best for the ship to go to sea. If the stu- 
dents had forgotten the ropes, or were so much em- 
barrassed in their new stations, tliat they could not set 
a sail or get up the anchor without making a mess of 


6o 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


it, the ship ought to go to sea. On the return of the 
excursionists from Germany, it might be necessary to 
put to sea without an hour’s delay, as the principal 
had suggested. Shipwreck and disaster might follow 
if the crew were not in working order. It was a plain 
case to the captain. 

Paul Kendall had explained the situation to the Ar- 
buckles as mildly as he could. He had told them that 
the seamen were a little disorderly, and that it was 
necessary to have them in perfect discipline before 
they went to Germany. Without intending to do so, 
he had produced the impression on their minds, that 
the trip would be given up unless the boys performed 
their duty to the entire satisfaction of the principal. 
In talking with the officers, they had expressed their fear 
that the proposed excursion would not take place. 
Perhaps the guests were not far from right ; for cer- 
tainly the students would not be allowed to step on 
shore if the discipline of the ship was not satisfactory. 
Miss Grace was sadly disturbed at the thought of 
dejDriving the students of the pleasure of seeing the 
Rhine, its wonders and its beauties. 

“ Why, I thought your crew were in perfect disci- 
pline, Captain — no, I mean Commodore — Kendall,” 
said she, as they sat upon the quarter-deck, discussing 
the great question of the hour. 

“ They are, generally,” replied Paul. “ But you 
know we are a little world by ourselves, and we have 
our troubles just like other people. It will be all right, 
I hope, in a day or two. The students get a little 
wild sometimes.” 

“ Captain Shuffles is such a noble fellow, I should 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


6l 


think they would all wish to do their best. I’m sure 
I should, if I were a sailor in your ship.” 

“ Shuffles is a capital fellow,” added Paul, who was 
certainly more pleased to praise the commander him- 
self, than to have his fair companion do so. 

“ I shall never forget his noble conduct on that ter- 
rible night when the steamer was burned,” said Grace, 
warmly. 

“ Probably none of us will ever forget it. But I 
am sorry to say that there is a great deal of dissatis- 
faction with the new captain, just now, even among 
the officers,” added Paul. 

“ I’m very sorry.” 

“ But it is not his fault ; really it is not,” continued 
Paul, fearing that he had said too much. 

“ I’m sure it is not,” protested Grace. “ I wonder 
if I have any influence with the officers.” 

“ I think you have : indeed, I know you have with 
one of them,” replied Paul ; but he began to choke 
before he had uttered the last clause of the sentence. 

“With one of them?” 

“ Yes, with all of them ; but perhaps more with 
one than with others,” stammered Paul, studying the 
seams in the quarter-decks. 

“ Who is he, pray? ” asked Grace, rather timidly. 

“ With the commodore,” answered he, desperately. 

“ Thank you. Commodore Kendall. Then we will 
both use our influence to have the captain set right 
with the officers and the crew.” 

“ Well, it is not exactly the right thing for so digni- 
fied a personage as the commodore to persuade his in- 
feriors that his views are correct. He issues orders, 


62 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


and others obey them,” laughed Paul. “ But really 
I cannot, in courtesy, meddle with the discipline of the 
ship.” 

“ I’m going to meddle with it, if I can do anything 
to set Captain Shuffles right,” said Grace, who was 
very confident that it was quite impqssible for her 
noble preserver to do, or even think, anything wrong. 

“ The officers will do their duty, whatever they 
think,” added Paul. “ In due time they will be sat- 
isfied that the captain is right. I fully agree with him, 
and think that the ship ought to go to sea.” 

“ Of course, I expect to find you on the right side. 
Commodore Kendall,” said Grace. 

“ Certainly I’m always on your side,” he replied, 
becoming astonishingly bold for him. 

“ Then we are both on Captain Shuffles’s side. 
Who is the officer standing near us?” 

It happened to be Master Perth ; and Miss Arbuckle 
called him, intent upon finding some one who was not 
on the captain’s side. Paul, however, did not think 
it was in accordance with the dignity of the commo' 
dore of the squadron to listen to any criticism of the 
captain’s action, and he reluctantly left the pleasant 
seat he occupied by the side of the young lady. If 
there was any one on board who hated Shuffles, Perth 
was he. 

“ I wanted to get acquainted with you, Mr. Perth ; 
for it seems to me I have not met you before,” she 
began. 

“ Probably not, Miss Arbuckle, for I was not one 
of the party who went to Paris and Switzerland with 
you,” replied the second master. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 

“ Indeed ! ” exclaimed she, understanding, witlioul 
further explanation, why he was not one of the party, 
and that he was one of the runaways, though she could 
not exactly comprehend how he happened to be an 
officer if he had been a rebel. 

“I had the honor to cGmmand the Josephine during 
a portion of the time the ship’s company were absent,” 
laughed he, with anything but penitence for his pasf 
offences. 

“ I am very sorry you were not with the others.” 

“ So am I, for one reason — it deprived me of the 
pleasure of seeing your pretty face for three or foul 
w'eeks,” said Perth, lightly. 

“ Perhaps I shall change my mind if I 'find you! 
absence saved me from such annoyance as I feel at 
the present moment,” replied Grace, blushing, and 
looking much displeased. 

“ I beg your pardon ! I meant no offence,” stam- 
mered Perth. 

Grace smiled again ; for she did not believe htf 
would again venture to indulge in an impudent com^ 
pliment. 

“ I am very sorry to learn from what you say thai 
you were one of the runaways,” she continued. 

“ I was one of them — I may say that I was the 
chief of them,” replied Perth, without a blush. 

“ Of course you are very sorry for it, and very glad 
that Captain Shuffles brought you back.” 

“ That’s an open question,” laughed Perth. “ 1 
don’t think Shuffles made much by what he did. I 
don’t believe any fellow makes anything by being a 
hypocrite, and selling out his friends.” 



64 


DOWN THE RHINP:, OR 


1 don’t think so, either. But you certainly cannot 
mean to say that Captain Shuffles is a hypocrite, or 
that he ever betrayed his friends?” 

“ I suppose I ought not to say anything to you about 
it, knowing that he is a strong friend of yours.” 

“ Whatever you say, Mr. Perth, shall not be re- 
peated. I have been told that some of the officers are 
opposed to the new captain ; and I do not see how it 
can be true, when he is so noble and good.” 

“Noble and good ! ” ejaculated Perth. 

“ Certainly. You know what he did for me on the 
night the steamer was burned.” 

“ There isn’t a fellow on board that would not have 
given all he had for a chance to do the same thing for 
you,” protested Perth. 

“ But all the students like him.” 

“I don’t believe he has twenty friends in the ship.” 

“ Then they do not know him as I do,” replied 
Grace, indignantly. 

“ They know him better than you do. He’s smart, 
and a good officer ; but when you have said that, you 
have said all that can be said,” continued Perth, bluntly. 

“ I am sorry to hear you say so,” added Grace, really 
grieved, even while she was incredulous. “ I am 
afraid you are prejudiced against him because he 
broke up your plan to run away with the Josephine.” 

“ He didn’t break it up. Our fellows disagreed 
^r,-iong themselves ; that’s the reason why we had to 
<:ome back,” explained Perth, whose pride did not per- 
mit him to acknowledge that he had been beaten by 
the superior skill and energy of Shuffles. “ Now, all 
the fellows are on the very verge of mutiny, because 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 65 

lie insists upon taking the ship to sea, instead of going 
down the Rhine.” 

“ I’m sure he is doing no more than his duty,” per- 
sisted Grace, stoutly. “ It appears that Mr. Lowington 
thinks he is right, or he would not send the ship to 
sea. I am really sorry to hear you speak so unkind- 
ly of your captain, for I must say that I cannot believe 
a word you say about him.” 

“ Thank you,” replied Perth, dryly. 

“ I think you are sincere in your belief,” aclded she. 
“ Paul Kendall says that the captain is right.” 

“Well, he is commodore, you know, and must be- 
lieve everything the principal says,” laughed Perth. 
“ It is not quite proper for any of us to have opinions 
of our own, but you see some of us have them.” 

Perth was certainly good-natured, whatever else he 
was, and as Grace said no more, he touched his cap, 
and passed on. The devoted admirer of Shuffles’s no- 
bleness and goodness was greatly disconcerted by the 
blunt statements of the second master, who had de- 
clared that the ship’s company were almost in a state 
of mutiny against the captain. She continued her 
inquiries among other officers ; but, though some of 
them thought it was quite unnecessary to go to sea, they 
all spoke very handsomely of Shuffles. It was plain 
enough that Perth had injured himself more than the 
object of his calumny, by what he had said. 

“Are you ready to go to sea. Miss Arbuckle?” 
asked the captain, as he came on deck, and touched 
his cap to her. 

“ I am quite ready ; indeed, I am afraid I am more 
ready than many others on board of this ship,” she re- 




66 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


plied. “I am sorry to hear that some of the officers 
and seamen are very much displeased at the idea of 
going to sea.” 

“ So far as the seamen are concerned, it is their own 
fault, for they have not done their duty,” added the 
captain. 

“ Not the fault of all of them, I hope.” 

“ Not all, certainly ; but if they don’t know their 
stations, they must learn them. If you are all ready 
to go, I think we will be off,” said Shuffles, as he 
glanced at his watch. “ You will get the ship under 
way, if you please, Mr. Goodwin,” he added, address- 
ing the first lieutenant, who was standing near him. 

“ I really hope there will be no trouble, Captam 
Shuffles,” continued Grace. 

“ There can be no trouble. All sailors grumble, you 
know. Miss Arbuckle, and our boys imitate their elders 
in this respect. They will growl for a while, but just 
as soon as they work the ship with skill and prompt- 
ness, we shall put into Brest, and make our trip down 
the Rhine. I think we shall not be at sea beyond a 
couple of days.” 

“ I hope not, for the sake of the crew.” 

“ All hands, weigh anchor, ahoy ! ” shouted the boat- 
swain, as his sharp pipe rang through the ship. 

Less than thirty of the seamen answered to the call, 
and it was apparent that a very large majority of them 
had chosen to follow the evil counsels of the runaways, 
or the foolish counsels of other discontented spirits. 
It was the first time since the ship went into commis- 
sion that any considerable number of the crew had 
failed to respond to the calk Shuffles was confounded, 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 67 

and the first lieutenant actually turned pale. It looked 
like such a mutiny as the Chain League had planned. 

“Pipe again,” said Shuffles, as quietly as he could. 

Again the boatswain sounded the call, and re- 
peated the order, but with no better success than 
before. Not another seaman appeared upon deck. 

“What does this mean?” said the commodore to 
the captain. 

“ As near as I can interpret it, the greater part of 
the crew do not intend to obey orders,” replied Shuffles. 

“ It certainly looks so.” 

“ Mr. Goodwin, will you inquire of those who 
obeyed the order, whether their shipmates heard the 
call?” continued the captain, laboring very hard to 
appear cool and collected, as a commander ought to 
be in every emergency. 

Paul Kendall’s curiosity prompted him to follow the 
executive officer to the waist, where the seamen who 
had obeyed the call were waiting for orders. He 
was unwilling to believe the evidence of his senses, 
though he knew that there was considerable disaffec- 
tion on board. 

“ Did the rest of the crew hear the boatswain’s 
pipe?” asked Goodwin of the faithful few. 

“Yes, sir,” replied Tremere. 

“ Where are they now ? ” 

“ In the mess-rooms.” 

“ Why don’t they obey?” 

“ They say they don’t want to go to sea : they say 
they haven’t done anything to deserve punishment, and 
they object to being punished,” replied the spokesman. 

“What do they mean by being punished ?” asked 
the commodore. 


68 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Sent to sea. Mr. Lowington promised us a trip 
down the Rhine ; and now that excursion is given up. 
The fellows say the ship is bound to Belfast, to convey 
the Arbuckles home. They say they are willing to 
do their duty, if they can have fair play.” 

“ What do the seamen intend to do?” asked Paul. 

“ Nothing, sir. They say they will give their rea- 
sons when called upon.” 

“ Probably they will, when called upon,” said Paul, 
who had very high ideas of discipline. 

The executive officer returned, and explained the 
situation to the captain. It was impossible to get the 
ship under way with less than thirty seamen, and he 
felt that his powers were exhausted. Fortunately, 
Mr. Lowington, who had heard the boatswain’s pipe, 
came on deck at this critical moment. 

“Didn’t I hear the boatswain’s pipe?” asked the 
principal, surprised to find only a few hands in the 
waist. 

“Yes, sir ; we have called all hands twice, and only 
about thirty answer the call.” 

“ It was a mistake to call more than once,” replied 
Mr. Lowington, who did not seem to be taken aback 
by the astounding intelligence. “ What’s the matter? ” 

The captain explained, reporting the statements 
made by the faithful ones in the waist. 

“ A mutiny, then — is it? ” added the principal, with 
a smile. “ Well, I am glad it is no worse.” 

“ The mutineers are willing to explain, when called 
upon for an explanation,” added Paul, who was in- 
dignant at the conduct of the malcontents. 

“ We don’t usually call for explanations in such 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


69 


cases on board ship,” said the principal. “ It is plain 
enough that this is only a second edition of the con- 
fusion of this afternoon. The young gentlemen have 
been listening to evil advice.” 

“What shall be done, sir?” inquired the captain, 
rather nervously, in spite of his laborious efforts to 
keep cool. 

“ Mutiny is mutiny,” replied the principal ; “ but in 
this case, I think we need not treat it with the severity 
which prevails in the navy. The students below say, 
and probably believe, that the excursion to the Rhine 
has been abandoned, and that the ship is bound to 
Belfast. Though they are mistaken, we can only tell 
them so when they return to their duty. We will go 
to sea, as we intended.” 

“ How can we go to sea with a crew of less than 
thirty ?” asked Shuffles. 

“ Keep perfectly calm. Captain Shuffles. I am 
willing to grant that, in a man-of-war, with men in a 
state of mutiny, the case would be a very serious one. 
I do not so regard it in the present instance, but we 
will profit by the lesson it may teach. For an officer 
to permit a sailor to see that he is disconcerted is 
yielding too much. Therefore, young gentlemen, I 
wish you all to be perfectly composed, whatever hap- 
pens. This affair is rather ludicrous than otherwise, 
since the mutineers declare that they are ready to ex- 
plain when called upon to do so, which is very kind 
and condescending on their part,” the principal pro- 
ceeded, addressing the officers who had gathered 
around him for the solution of what seemed to them 
a very difficult and trying problem. 


70 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


But they were not permitted to hear the solution, for 
the principal invited the commodore and the captain 
into the main cabin, to discuss the matter, desiring, 
even in the present embarrassing situation, to have 
everything done in accordance with his ideas of disci- 
pline. He meant that the captain should be the ap- 
parent, if he could not be the real, manager of the 
difficult affair. 

“ How many hands responded to the boatswain’s 
call?” asked the principal, when the party were 
seated. 

“ Less than thirty,” answered Shuffles. 

“ Twenty-eight. I had the curiosity to count them,” • 
interposed Paul. 

“ Twenty-eight,” repeated the principal. “ Very 
well ; we can — ” 

“ I hope you will excuse me, sir,” said Shuffles, in- 
terrupting him. “ If this state of thing is caused by 
any dislike to me, sir, I am willing to resign.” 

“ So far as I know, you have done your duty. Shuf- 
fles ; and to permit you to resign would be to abandon 
the plan of the Academy Ship, and acknowledge that 
discipline is an impracticable thing. You cannot 
resign.” 

“ Many of the fellows dislike me,” added the 
captain. 

“ That is not your fault, as I understand the matter. 
That the runaways, who, I suspect, are at the root of 
this mischief, should be prejudiced against you, was 
to be expected. If others are also, it is because they 
are misinformed. You can afford to wait till time 
justifies your good intentions.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


7 ^ 


“ I am willing to own that I have no desire to re- 
sign. I like the place, but I am willing to sacrifice 
my own wishes for the peace of the ship.” 

“ Peace is not to be bought on any such terms. Say 
nothing more about resigning. Twenty-eight hands, 
you say, are ready to obey orders.” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ On an emergency, the captain and four lieuten- 
ants can officer the ship. Masters, midshipmen, and 
pursers must do duty as seamen. They will gladly 
consent to do so. Let it be voluntary on their part. 
How many will that make?” 

“ Thirty-eight.” 

“ Peaks, Bitts, and Leach will make forty-one. 
The Josephine is fully manned, and can spare us nine 
more. That will make fifty. If we lay aside the 
school work, we can sail the ship round the world 
with that number.” 

Shuffles displayed a smile of satisfaction at this so- 
lution. 

“ But we will procure the services of a tug-boat to 
tow us to sea, so that there will no hard work in get- 
ting clear of the harbor,” added the principal. “ Send 
Leavitt in the second cutter to the Josephine for the 
extra hands, and let Foster go in the third for one of 
the steam-tugs up by the jetties. Above all things. 
Captain Shuffles, do not mention your plans to any 
person.” 

“ I will not, sir,” replied Shuffles, as he hastened 
on deck to put in force the solution of the problem. 

“ What is to be the result of this, Mr. Lowington ? 
asked Paul. 


7 ^ 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


‘‘ I don’t know — nothing serious, however. The 
young gentlemen are waiting very impatiently in their 
mess-rooms to be called and asked for the explana- 
tion, which I doubt not is a very plausible one. Let 
them wait,” continued the principal, leading the way 
to the deck, where he sat down with the Arbuckles, 
and was soon busy in conversation with them, as 
though nothing had happened. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


73 


CHAPTER V. 


THE ORDER OF THE FAITHFUL. 

HE appearance of Captain Shuffles on deck pro- 



I duced a decided sensation among the offlcers, 
some of whom believed that the mutineers would be 
dragged from the mess-rooms by the adult forward 
officers, and tied up to the rigging. The decided 
character of the principal certainly pointed to the 
most decided measures. Something terrible was to 
be expected, and the young gentlemen were aston- 
ished when Mr. Lowington came on deck, immedi- 
ately after the captain, seated himself with the Arbuc- 
kles, and began to converse with them as pleasantly 
as though no mutiny had ever been dreamed of. 

The captain called the officers around him, and all 
of them eagerly obeyed the summons. 

“We are going to sea immediately,” said he, with 
none of the anxiety which was visible in his face be- 
fore. “ As we are short-handed, I have a Hvor to 
ask. Those below the rank of lieutenant, who are 
willing to serve as seamen until the discipline of the 
ship can be restored, will signify it by walking over 
to the starboard side.” 

All below the grade indicated, with a single excep- 
tion, promptl}^ marched over to the other side of the 


74 


r>OVVN THE RHINE, OR 


ship. The four lieutefiants stepped out of the way, 
so that tlie single dissenter might stand alone. It is 
hardly necessary to say that Perth was the person 
who was so largely in the minority among the officers. 

“You decline to serve with the other masters?” 
said Shuffies. 

“ I prefer to be excused. I have had considerable 
experience as a seaman, and would like a little more 
as an officer,” replied Perth, politely. 

“We shall dispense with the services of all the 
officers except the lieutenants,” added the captain. 
“ There will be nothing for you to do, but you shall 
not be compelled to serve as a seaman.” 

“ Permit me to take his place,” interposed Gordon, 
the senior past officer. 

“ Thank you, Gordon,” replied Shuffies. 

“ Please enroll me also as a seaman,” added Haven, 
good-naturedly. 

“ And me also,” laughed Paul. 

“ I suggest that the past officers take the places of 
the second, third, and fourth lieutenants, who shall do 
duty as seamen,” said Leavitt, the second officer. 

' “ By all means,” added Foster,- the third. 

“ With all my heart,” followed Prescott, the fourth. 

The captain adopted this suggestion, and Gordon, 
as second lieutenant, was sent offi to the Josephine in 
the second cutter, which was pulled by three masters 
and the three midshipmen. When it was ready to 
leave, Mr. Lowington stepped into the boat, for he 
desired to satisfy himself that the crew of the consort 
were not also demoralized. Haven in the third cut- 
ter, with a volunteer crew, left the ship to procure a 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


75 


tug-steamer. Peaks, Bitts, Leach, and the head stew- 
ard had been privately requested to be on deck, in 
case any unexpected demonstration was made by the 
mutineers. 

In the steerage everything was very quiet. The 
sensation below was decidedly superior to that on 
deck. The rebels were patiently waiting to be called 
upon for an explanation of their remarkable conduct. 
Probably none of them even noticed that the grating 
had been put upon the main hatch by the cautious 
Peaks, to prevent them from leaving the steerage. 
The boatswain’s call had sounded twice, and they 
supposed the faculty of the Academy were consulting 
upon the proper measures to be taken. Most of them 
believed that they would be invited on deck, where 
the principal would “preach” to them, as usual, and 
thus afford them an opportunity to state their griev- 
ances. Perhaps, with the exception of the runaways, 
they were willing to return to their duty after they 
had recorded their protest. The principal still pur- 
posed to let them wait. 

The third cutter, all of whose volunteer crew wore 
shoulder-straps, came up to the gangway of the Jose- 
phine, which, like the ship, was all ready to weigh 
anchor. 

“You come with a very nobby crew,” said Mr. 
Fluxion, as the principal stepped upon the deck of 
the consort. 

“ The ship is in a state of mutiny,” replied Mr. 
Lowington, with a smile upon his face, which sof- 
tened the astounding declaration. 

Mutiny ! ” exclaimed Mr. Fluxion, 


76 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Precisely so. We called all bands to weigh anchor, 
and less than thirty answered to the summons. We 
learned from them that the rest of the crew refused 
to do duty till their grievances were heard. Do you 
know of anything of this kind on board of your 
vessel ? ” 

“ We haven’t called all hands yet, for we don’t be- 
gin to get under way till the ship mans the capstan. 
It is possible that we shall have the same difficulty.” 

“ Let your captain get under way at once, for the 
ship will be towed out. If your crew is all right, I 
should like to transfer a few seamen to the ship, for 
we are rather short-handed,” added the principal. 

Mr. Fluxion called Captain Terrill, and the order 
was given to pipe all hands. As the boatswain’s 
whistle sounded, the principal and the vice-principal 
descended to the cabin. Mr. Lowington had begun 
to explain his method of dealing with the difficulty, 
when a messenger from the captain reported that 
twelve seamen refused to answer the summons. 

“ Ascertain who they are, and get under way 
without disturbing them,” said the principal, after 
the messenger had retired. 

“ That’s a novel way to deal with a mutiny,” added 
Mr. Fluxion, who was always in favor of decisive 
measures. 

Mr. Lowington stated his views fully, and explained 
his plan. Though the vice-principal did not agree 
with him in regard to his corrective measures, he 
consented to adopt them. When they went on deck, 
the captain handed Mr. Fluxion a list of the names 
of the Josephine’s mutineers. They were the twelve 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. ^7 

runaways who had been transferred to the consort. 
Little had succeeded in inducing them to engage in 
the plot, but the rest of the crew would not follow 
their vicious example, even with the assurance that 
the mutiny was general on board of the ship. Under 
these circumstances, none of the crew of the Josephine 
could be spared for service in the Young America, 
and the boat returned without them. The principal 
decided that the ship could be handled with the avail- 
able force, which might include a portion of the cooks 
and stewards, some of whom were sailors. 

The tug-boat had come alongside when the cutter 
reached the ship. In order to give any rebel, who had 
repented, an opportunity to return to his duty, the 
grating was removed from the main hatch, and the 
boatswain again called all hands to weigh anchor. 
Only two of them, however, answered the call. The 
capstan was manned by the faithful thirty, reenforced 
by the officers and the men on board. A long hawser 
had been passed from the bow to the steamer, and as 
soon as the anchor was up to the hawse-hole, the sig- 
nal was given to go ahead. The Josephine followed 
as promptly as though every seaman on board per- 
formed his duty, though the sails were not set with 
the usual precision. The little squadron went off to 
the north-west, carrying its double mutiny with it. 

As soon as the ship began to move, after the anchor 
was secured, the officers devoted themselves to the 
duty of stationing the crew. They were divided into 
two watches, and their places for making and taking 
in sail, reefing and tacking, were assigned to them. 
As the officers who had volunteered to serve before 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


78 

the mast were thorough seamen, the task was speedily 
accomplished. There were no “ green hands ” to be 
favored, for every one was competent to hand, reef, 
and steer. By the time the squadron was well in the 
offing, the ship’s company was in condition to make 
sail. About ten miles outside of the harbor, the 
steamer was discharged. 

“ All hands, make sail, ahoy ! ” shouted the boat- 
swain, and every officer and seaman sprang to his 
station. 

Lieutenants, masters, midshipmen, and pursers min- 
gled with the seamen, and the work was done with 
promptness and precision. Topsails, top-gallant-sails, 
and courses were set, and with the wind abeam, the 
ship went off to the north-west as comfortably as 
though no mutiny had distracted her routine. When 
everything was made snug for a night at sea, the roll 
was called, and the names of the mutineers checked 
on the list. 

“ Young gentleman,” said Mr. Lowington, while 
the faithful were still assembled in the waist, “ I re- 
gret that so many of your companions have resorted 
to a silly and stupid expedient to redress real or im- 
aginary grievances. Mutiny is never respectable, un- 
der any circumstances ; and I wish to draw a sharp 
line between those who do their duty and those who 
do not. I desire that none of you hold any communi- 
cation whatever with the mutineers. Be dignified and 
gentlemanly, but avoid them. Give them no informa- 
tion in regard to what transpires on deck. I request 
you to do this. I do not give you any order to that 
effect. 


\ 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


79 


“ None of the mutineers will be allowed to come on 
deck, and I shall have some means of distinguishing 
the faithful from the unfaithful.’" 

“ Will you allow me to furnish a badge for each of 
the faithful?” asked Grace Arbuckle, who stood near 
the principal, and was deeply interested in the pro- 
ceedings. 

“ Certainly, Miss Arbuckle ; and I am sure the 
young gentlemen will set an additional value upon the 
decoration if it is bestowed by you,” replied Mr. Low- 
ington, as gallantly as though he had been a much 
younger man. 

“ Thank you, sir,” answered Grace, blushing at the 
compliment. 

“ Miss Arbuckle will give a badge to each of you,” 
continued the principal to the faithful few. 

The crew on deck -applauded lustily. 

“ It will be a white ribbon on the left breast,” said 
Grace. 

“ A white ribbon on the left breast,” repeated Mr. 
Lowington, as Grace hastened to the cabin to procure 
the materials for the decoration. “ I learn that those 
who refused to answer the boatswain’s call, expected 
to be asked for an explanation of their conduct. I 
cannot make terms with mutineers. I should hnve 
proceeded in a different manner if I had not believed 
there W'as a misunderstanding. I am willing to ex- 
plain for your benefit, but not for those below. Do 
you understand?” 

“ Ay, ay, sir ! ” shouted the students. 

“ With a promise on your part to keep your own 
counsels, I will explain. Those of you who will agree 


DOWN TITE RHINE, OR 


i5o 

UOt to cororRunicate anything I may say to the muti- 
neers will signii'y it by going abaft the mizzen-mast on 
the quarter-decK. Those who decline to agree to these 
terms will remain In the waist.” 

Every officer, including Perth, and every seaman, 
promptly marched to the quai ter-deck. 

“At the wheel, do you agree to the terms?” said 
the principal, addressing the quarter-master and sea- 
man who were steering. 

“Yes, sir,” replied both. 

“ Mr Peaks, you will see that no one is at the lad- 
der of the main hatch,” continued tne principal, turn- 
ing to tlie adult boatswain. 

“Ay, ay, sir,” replied Peaks, who soon reported 
that all the mutineers were still in the mess-rooms. 

“ Now, young gentlemen, I am told it is generally 
believed in the steerage that the rrip down the Rhine 
has been abandoned ; that the ship is bound to Belfast 
to convey our good friends to their Lome. This is a 
mistake, and probably the one which made the mis- 
chief in part. I have no idea of going m Belfast, and 
no idea of abandoning the excursion into Germany.’" 

The boys applauded with a zeal which indicated 
how satisfactory the intelligence was to them. 

“ Certainly the discipline of the ship needs improv- 
ing, but I was satisfied that two or three days’ service 
at sea would restore it to its former standard. If the 
squadron remains at Havre during our absence, botl| 
vessels must go into the docks, which involves consid- 
erable expense. I therefore purposed to make a harbor 
at Brest, and go from there to the Rhine. For thij 
reason the baggage of our friends was brought oj 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. Si 

board. That is really all that need be said. Are you 
satisfied? ” 

“ Ay, ay, sir ! ” shouted the crowd. 

“ But remember that this explanation is made for 
your benefit, and not for that of the students in the 
steerage. They have chosen their own remedy, and 
they must abide the issue. You are now dismissed.” 

“ Not yet, if you please, Mr. Lowington,” inter- 
posed Grace, who had stationed herself, with her 
mother on the port side of the mizzen-mast. “ If the 
young gentlemen will pass this way, they shall be 
decorated with the white ribbon of the Order of the 
Faithful.” 

“ The Order of the Faithful ! ” exclaimed Mr. Low- 
ington, laughing, while all the students applauded. 
•‘You will pass forward on the port side of the miz- 
zen-mast, and be initiated into the Order of the Faith- 
ful.” 

“ I shall join that order,” said Commodore Kendall, 
as he placed himself in the single line formed by the 
Doys. 

“ Let the flag-officer go first,” added some of the 
students, dragging Paul to the head of the column. 

“ Commodore Kendall, you are received into the 
Order of the Faithful,” said Grace, as she pinned upon 
the left breast of his coat the white ribbon, which was 
doubled, so that the two ends hung down. 

“Thank you. Miss Arbuckle. I will endeavor to 
oe faithful,” replied the flag-officer, as he touched his 
cap to the fiiir initiator. 

Captain Shuffles followed him, and in half an hour 
the entire party were duly initiated and decorated. 

6 


DOWN THE RHINE. OR 


S3 

As fast as Mrs. Arbuckle could cut off and double the 
ribbons, Grace adjusted them. She explained that 
she had purchased a large quantity of narrow white 
and blue ribbon in Paris to make trimmings for a 
dress ; and when the principal had spoken of a dis- 
tinguishing mark for those who did their duty, it had 
suggested to her the white ribbon of the Order of the 
Faithful. She was delighted to have her idea so well 
received. 

“ We have had some secret societies on board this 
ship,” laughed Paul Kendall, after he had received 
his decoration. “ I move you we form another — the 
Order of the Faithful.” 

“ We have already taken the obligation,” added 
Shuffles. 

“ And we have been initiated by Miss Arbuckle,” 
said Gordon. 

The suggestion was received with favor, though 
rather as a pleasantry than as a serious matter ; and, 
after the faithful had all marched by the mizzen-mast, 
the subject was again taken up in the waist. 

“I move you that Commodore Kendall be chosen 
Grand Commander of the Order of the Faithful,” said 
Shuffles. 

“ I beg you will excuse me. I couldn’t walk if I 
had to carry around with me such a magnificent title 
as that,” replied Paul, shrugging his shoulders like a 
Frenchman. “ I suggest that Miss Grace Arbuckle 
be the chief of the order, and that no one be admitted 
unless initiated by her. As she is the founder of the 
order, it is fair that she should be its head.” 

“ Good ! ” shouted several of the officers and sea- 


men. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 83 

“What shall her title be?” added Shuffles. 

“ Queen,” replied Gordon. 

“ No ; that’s too commonplace,” answered Haven, 

“What shall it be, then?” 

“ Something outlandish, just for the fun of the 
thing,” said Haven, who was not a very warm advo- 
cate of secret societies. 

“ The Amazon,” suggested one of the seamen. 

“ O, no ! don’t call her an Amazon,” protested Paul. 
“ It would be a libel upon her.” 

“ The Queen of the Fairies.” 

“We are not fairies,” objected Plaven. 

“ She is one, at any rate.” 

“ Call her the Empress.” 

“ Simply the President.” 

“ No ; the Directress.” 

The question seemed to be a trying one ; and one 
after another suggested titles which were satisfactory 
to no one but the proposers. 

“ How will the Protectress do?” inquired Shuffles. 

“ Rather formidable and commonplace,” replied 
Haven. “Make it the Grand Protectress, and I am 
with you.” 

“ I like Protectress,” added Paul Kendall. 

“ So do I,” said half a dozen others. 

“ Grand Protectress is better,” persisted Haven, 
who could not help making a burlesque of the affair. 

“ Grand Protectress ! ” shouted a dozen others, who 
believed in high-sounding titles. 

“ Put it to vote,” suggested Shuffles. 

“ Ay, ay ! put it to vote.” 

“ Those in favor of Grand Protectress say, ay,” con- 
tinued Haven. 


84 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Ay ! ” responded a large number. 

“ Opposed. ” 

“ No.” 

“ The ayes have it. Grand Protectress it is.” 

“ I move you that Commodore Kendall and Captain 
Shuffles be a committee to wait upon Miss Arbuckle, 
and inform her that she has been unanimously chosen 
Grand Protectress of the Order of the Faithful. Those 
in favor say, ay ; those opposed, no. It is a vote.” 

The committee went to the quarter-deck, where 
Grace and her mother were conversing with Mr. 
Lowington. Paul, who was by seniority the spokes- 
man, touched his cap, and looked as dignified as 
though he had been the minister plenipotentiary of 
one of the great powers. 

“ Miss Arbuckle, I have the honor — and I should 
do injustice to my own feelings if I did not add, the 
pleasure — to inform you, that you have been unani- 
mously chosen Grand Protectress of the Order of the 
Faithful.” 

“The what?” asked Grace. 

The principal, usually very solemn and dignified, 
laughed heartily. 

“ Grand Protectress,” replied Paul, gravely. “ The 
order has been duly established ; and, as you have ini- 
tiated all the members, it is eminently proper that you 
should preside over its destinies.” 

“ Please to assure the members of the order, that I 
accept the high position, and that I am very grateful 
to them for the honor they have done me,” answered 
Grace, when she could restrain her laughter so as to 
speak. 


VOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. ^5 

“ I am happy to be the bearer of such a pleasant 
message,” said Paul, as he bowed and retired. 

“ Grand Protectress ! ” laughed Grace, repeating in 
measured tones her magnificent title. 

Paul reported the acceptance of the Grand Protec- 
tress ; and the society w'as further organized by the 
choice of a secretary, whose only duty was to keep a 
record of the names of the members. 

“ Now, we want a motto,” said Gordon ; “ some^ 
thing that will express, in few words, the objects of the 
society.” 

“ I don’t happen to know what the objects of the 
society are,” replied Haven ; “ but I suggest, ‘ Honi 
soit qui mal y pense^ ” 

“ The Qiieen of England has a mortgage on that 
motto,” said Paul. “ Semper paratus will be bet- 
ter.” 

“ What does it mean?” asked a student. 

“ Some praties,” replied a wag. 

“ Let us have a motto in plain English, and one 
that has not been used by all the engine companies ii\ 
the United States,” added Haven. 

“ Semper paratus is good, I think,” persisted Paul. 
“ Always ready to answer the boatswain’s call, ant^ 
always ready to do our duty.” 

“ But it is worn out,” protested Haven. “ I move 
you we invite the Grand Protectress to give us a 
motto.” 

The motion was carried, and the same committee 
appointed to make the request. Paul led the way to 
Grace again, who was still highly amused at the gland 
honor which had been conferred upon her. 


86 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“The Order of the Faithful instructs me humbiy to 
petition the Grand Protectress for a motto suitable to 
the needs, and expressive of the objects, of the asso- 
ciation,” said Paul. 

“ O, dear me ! ” exclaimed Grace. “ If you ask 
such things as that of me, I shall not wish to be Grand 
Protectress. I think, as your great philosopher said, 
it will be paying too dear for the whistle. Must it be 
in English, French, Latin, or German?” 

“ That must be left to the discretion of your Grand 
Protectresship,” answered Paul, gravely. 

“ Please to help me, father,” said she, appealing to 
Mr. Arbuckle. 

“ Whatever the Grand Protectress vouchsafes to 
give us shall be cherished by the order,” added Paul. 

Mr. Arbuckle wrote a sentence on a slip of paper, 
and handed it to Grace. 

“ Ah, here is your motto ! ” exclaimed she, laughing 
heartily. 

“ Please to repeat it,” said Captain Shuffles. 

“ Vbus ne fouvez pas faire un sifflet de la queue 
d'un cochonP added Grace, reading from the paper, 
which she handed to Paul, choking with mirth. 

“ Thanks, most excellent Grand Protectress,” re- 
plied the commodore, who found it very difficult to 
maintain his gravity. 

“ It is a literal translation of the English proverb, 
and perhaps the idea is not expressed in similar phrase 
in French,” s^id Mr. Arbuckle; “but I think it will 
answer very well for a motto.” 

Paul smoothed down his face as well as he could, 
and conveyed the motto to the assembled order in the 
waist. 




\ 




YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 87 

“ I have the honor to inform you that the Grand 
Protectress has provided a motto,” said he. 

“What is it?” demanded a dozen. 

“ It is in French.” 

“ The motto ! ” called the impatient Faithfuls. 

“ Vbus ne pouvez pas faire un sifflet de la queue 
d^un cochon.** 

Only two or three laughed, for only a few were as 
good French scholars as Paul and Shuffles. 

“What’s the English of it?” asked several at the 
same time. 

“ You must excuse me, for I do not think it is quite 
proper to translate the motto,” replied Paul. 

Those who understood it enjoyed the joke too much 
to afford the others any light on the subject. Haven 
was delighted with the motto, and moved that it be 
accepted. As it had been furnished by the Grand 
Protectress, it was unanimously adopted. The weak 
scholars were very curious to know the meaning of 
the mystic words. Most of them could make out a 
part of the sentence, but not enough to translate it. 
The business of the meeting was completed, and the 
members separated, all of them feeling that the muti- 
ny of the Young America was more like a merry- 
making than anything else. To be decorated with 
the white ribbon of the order by a beautiful young 
lady was a privilege which they appreciated, and all 
of them were thankful that they had not been led 
astray by the evil counsels which had prevailed in the 
steerage. 

“ If you do not like the motto, I can give you anoth- 
er now,” said Grace, when Paul joined the little party 
on the quarter-deck. 


88 


DOWN THE RHINE, OE 


“ The one you gave was unanimously adopted by 
the order,” replied Paul. 

“Was it, really?” asked Grace, laughing more 
heartily than before. 

“ Certainly it was.” 

“Did they understand its meaning?” 

“ Some of them did.” 

“ If you like this one better, it is at your service : 
‘ High aims produce noble deeds.’” 

“ While I hope we all believe in the English one, 
1 think the members of the order prefer the French 
one.” 

“If they are suited, I am,” replied Grace, cheer- 
fully. 

The ship was still going along under easy sail, 
though the weather promised to be unfavorable be- 
fore morning. At eight o’clock, the starboard watch, 
with the first and third lieutenants in charge, took 
the deck, and the port watch went below. They were 
to be ready for duty at twelve. Everything on deck 
was as pleasant as a merry-making. None of the 
passengers were seasick. 

Everything was not so lovely in the steerage, and it 
is necessary to go back a few hours in order to ascer- 
tain what passed among the mutineers. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


8g 


CHAPTER VI. 

IN THE STEERAGE. 

A fter the students finished their supper, those 
who had decided to rebel against the authorities 
of the ship retired to the mess-rooms, agreeably to 
the instructions of the leaders. There were forty-four 
of them, including the eighteen runaways who still 
remained in the ship as seamen, and who were the 
real mischief-makers, forming a class by themselves, 
hardening their hearts in sheer ugliness against the 
discipline of the ship. In their exploit with the Jose- 
phine, they had “ bucked ” against authority, and had 
suffered the consequences, which unfortunately had 
not produced a favorable impression upon them. 
They were disposed to do the same thing again. 

The rest of the mutineers belonged to a different 
class. They were generally well-disposed boys, fond 
of fun and excitement, not exactly the “ lambs ” of 
the flock, but certainly not the black sheep. If some 
of them had assisted in creating the confusion during 
the drill, they had not done so with any malicious 
purpose, as the runaways had, but from a thoughtless 
love of sport and excitement. They would never have 
thought of such an expedient as rebellion if they had 
not been cunningly worked upon by the real mischief- 


90 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


makers. They were not strong-minded young men, 
who dare to do right under all circumstances. With 
good impulses in the main, their principle was not 
hardened into that solid element which constitutes a 
reliable conscience. They were easily led away, and 
believing they had a real grievance, they resorted to 
doubtful means for its redress. 

Of this class Raymond had been the leading spirit. 
He would have resented the appellation of mutineer 
as an insult. All he expected and desired to obtain 
was an explanation ; and he was confident that when 
two thirds of the crew mildly, and even respectfully, 
declined to do duty, the principal, either in person or 
by deputy, would come below to ascertain the nature 
of the difficulty. He had cautioned his party to be 
perfectly respectful to the officers, and especially to 
the princijDal and professors. If it was to be a mutiny 
in any sense of the word, it was to be a very gentle- 
manly one. Having reduced the intended rebellion 
to this mild form, he had no fear that the rough 
hand of Peaks would be laid upon them, or that 
th^ party would be driven by force from the mess- 
rooms. 

“How do you suppose it will come out?” asked 
Hyde, one of Raymond’s messmates, in a low tone, as 
a group of the rebels gathered in their room. 

“ It will come out all right,” replied the leader of 
the mild mutineers, confidently. 

“I’m not so sure of that,” added Hyde, shaking his 
head. “ Mr. Lowington is a great stickler for disci- 
pline ; and he is not exactly the man to come below, 
and coax us to attend to our duty.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 9 1 

“ I don’t expect he will coax us to do it. But there 
are so many of us in the scrape that he can hardly do 
anything else.” 

“ How many do you suppose there are?” inquired 
Hyde. 

“ I can’t tell exactly, but I am satisfied that more 
than two thirds of the whole crew will stand out.” 

“ I don’t know about that.” 

“ I know that every fellow in the ship is mad be- 
cause the trip to the Rhine is given up ; and I think 
that at least two thirds of them are mad enough to do 
something about it. I should not be surprised if not a 
single fellow answered the boatswain’s call.” 

“ I should ; for I know half a dozen who have said 
they should ; but they mean to let the princijial know 
that all the fellows are dissatisfied with the idea of be- 
ing cheated out of the run into Germany. I’m not 
sure that this wouldn’t be the better way.” 

“ O, it wouldn’t amount to a row of pins ! What 
does the principal care whether the fellows are satis- 
fied or not? We must do something to prove that we 
are somebody,” persisted Raymond. 

“ That’s so,” added Lindsley, earnestly. “ I don’t 
believe in all Howe’s nonsense, but there is a good 
deal of truth in what he says. We are not common 
sailors, but the sons of wealthy men. We were sent 
to this ‘ship because we could have a chance to see 
the world while we were getting an education ; and it 
isn’t just the thing to deprive us of the privileges we 
pay for. Of course we don’t mean to make any row. 
If the principal don’t choose to set us right, why, we 
must go to our duty, and make the best of it ; but for 


92 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


one, I shall write to my father, and tell him just how 
the matter stands/’ 

That’s the idea,” responded Raymond. “ I shall 
do the same thing, and I know my father will send 
for me immediately. My mother would be glad 
enough to have me go home.” 

“ I’ll tell you what it is, fellows,” added Lindsley, 
warmly ; “ if about fifty of us will only hang together, 
we can have our own way. If we write home that 
we are dissatisfied, that the principal is rough on us, 
and won’t let us see the country, we can blow up the 
Academy Ship higher than a kite.” 

“ I think we have seen the country pretty well,” 
suggested Wilde. 

“Yes ; but we are not to go into Germany,” replied 
Raymond. “We are to go to sea, just because the 
new captain demands it.” 

“ For my own part, I like the ship first rate, and 
should hate to have my father send for me,” continued 
Wilde. “ I don’t believe there are a dozen fellows on 
board who wouldn’t think it a hard case if they had 
to leave.” 

“ Not if we are to be treated in this manner. If 
we are allowed to see the country, and have a good 
time, every fellow will be satisfied,” replied Ray- 
mond. “ But I think it will all come round right 
if we keep a stiff upper lip, and stand up for our 
rights. I like Lindsley’s idea first rate. We can talk 
that up, and it will help us out, if nothing else will. 
We can easily get forty or fifty of the fellows to say 
they will ask their fathers to take them away from the 
ship if they don’t have fair play. Then we can mildly 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


93 


suggest the idea to Mr. Lowington ; and, I tell you, 
he can see that the loss of fifty of us would make an 
end of his big idea.” 

“ I’m not ready to say I will ask my father to take 
me out of the ship,” protested Wilde. 

“ I am,” said Raymond. 

“ So am I,” added Lindsleyo 

“ And I,” chimed in others. 

“ While we are waiting, suppose we circulate the 
idea.” 

At this moment Tremere and Willis, who were the 
other occupants of the mess-room, came in, and the 
proposition was stated to them. 

“No ! ” exclaimed Tremere, very decidedly. “ When 
the boatswain pipes, I shall go on deck, and do my 
duty as long as I have two legs to stand on, and two 
hands to work with.” 

“ So shall I,” added Willis. “ I don’t believe half 
the stories that have been told through the ship. In 
my opinion, if any of the fellows don’t go down the 
Rhine this year, it will be because they are rebels or 
runaways. I shall take my station when the boat- 
swain pipes, if I am tl>e only fellow on board that 
does so.” 

“ If you haven’t spunk enough to stand up for your 
rights, you deserve to lose them,” replied Raymond, 
disgusted with the answers of those high-toned stu- 
dents. 

“ My rights ! Humph ! I value them too highly 
to throw them away by any such stupid conduct as 
you suggest,” answered Willis. 

Lindsley, thinking that Tremere and Willis did not 


94 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


understand their plan, volunteered to explain that they 
did not intend to use any violent measures ; that they 
meant to be entirely respectful to the officers and to 
the faculty. 

“ Disobedience is disobedience, whether you are 
respectful or disrespectful ; whether you say ‘ no ’ 
squarely, or ‘ excuse me ; ’ only the former is less 
cowardly than the latter,” said Tremere, in reply. 
“ As I understand the matter, you are getting up a 
row, asking fellows to write to their fathers to take 
them away from the ship.” 

“ All hands, up anchor, ahoy ! ” shouted the boat- 
swain, at the main hatch. 

Raymond returned to the mess-room, while the 
two incorruptible fellows hastened to their stations 
on deck. 

“ Now we are in for it ! ” said Lindsley. 

“ Let us stick to our text,” added Raymond, fearful 
that some of the party would back out as the decisive 
moment had come. 

“ Ay, ay ! Stick to the text ! ” added Hyde. 

“ Hold on, and I will see how many fellows an- 
swer the call,” continued Raymond, nervously, as 
he stationed himself at the door of the room, where 
he could see the seamen who went up the ladder. 

“ Count them,” said Lindsley. 

It was an exciting moment to the rebels, for how- 
ever real they believed their grievances to be, proba- 
bly not many of them were satisfied with the expedi- 
ency or the justice of the measure they had adopted 
to redress them. 

“ Only twelve ! ” exclaimed Raymond, when the 
last of the faithful had ascended the ladder. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


95 

“ That's bully ! ” said Hyde, rubbing his hands with 
satisfaction at the assumed success of the scheme. 

“Are you sure that you counted right?” inquired 
Lindsley. 

“ I counted ten, and added Tremere and Willis to 
the number, for they had gone up before I began. I 
didn’t expect even as many as that would gvj.” 

But the enthusiastic rebel had made a blunder. A 
portion of those who intended to obey orders, having 
no motive for remaining below, had gone on deck as 
soon as they finished their suppers. Sixteen of these, 
added to the twelve who went up from the steerage, 
made the twenty-eight who first answered tht call. 

“ Only twelve ! ” repeated Hyde. 

“ If we have nearly the whole crowd, we> can dc 
something more than explain our position,” said 
Lindsley. 

“ I’m not in favor of doing anything more than 
that,” added Raymond, shaking his head. 

“ All hands, up anchor, ahoy ! ” shouted the boat- 
swain, the second time, at the main hatch. 

“ It’s all right,” said Howe, appearing at the door ; 
“ not a fellow answers it.” 

“ Only a dozen have gone on deck in all,” added 
Raymond. 

“ Is that all? ” asked the runaway. 

“ That’s all ; I counted them.” 

“ Good ! We shall make a big thing of it,” an- 
swered Howe, as he left the room to look into others, 
in all of which it is safe to say that the strong-minded 
rebels were engaged in stiffening the backs of the 
weaker ones, for a large portion of them were in a 
very novel position. 


96 


DOAVN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Some one will be down very soon to know what 
the matter is,” said Hyde, fidgeting about his berth, 
where he had stretched himself to await the time. 

“ Who shall speak for us?”’ asked Raymond. 

“You shall,” replied Lindsley. 

“ Very well ; I will do the best I can,” answered 
Raymond, modestly. “ I am to say, very respectfully, 
that the fellows are dissatisfied with the idea of going 
to sea, and giving up the trip to the Rhine.” 

“ Yes ; and we respectfully request that the princi- 
pal will make good his promise to take us into Ger 
many,” added Hyde. 

“ Don’t you mean to say anything about the letters 
to our fathers, asking them to take us away from the 
ship?” inquired Lindsley. 

“ That looks a little like a threat,” objected Ray- 
mond. “ Besides, we don’t know how many fellows 
will agree to send such letters.” 

“ Let us go round and see,” suggested Lindsley. 

“ We will, if there is time.” 

As the record of the preceding chapter testifies, 
there was an abundance of time to carry out this or 
any other preliminary measure. Raymond and Linds- 
ley proceeded to canvass the rebels in regard to the let- 
ters. The eighteen runaways were ready to assent to 
anything, but only about half of the others were will- 
ing to give in their allegiance to what they regarded 
as a mean scheme. Some even declared they would 
back out if anything of this sort was to be attempted. 
Raymond was politic enough not to press the measure 
very hard, and he returned to his room with the names 
of only thirty, instead of fifty, which he had expected 
to obtain. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


97 


“ That’s enough to make a show with,” said Lindsley. 

“ But I don’t intend to say anything about the letters 
to the principal, if he is willing to do the fair thing 
by us.” 

“ What are they about on deck? It is half an hour 
since the boatswain piped all hands,” said Hyde, jump- 
ing out of his berth. 

“ I’m sure I don’t know,” replied Lindsley, uneasily. 
“ I should think they had found out by this time that 
something was the matter.” 

“ I know one thing,” said Wilde, with a significant 
shake of the head, as though he had made an impor- 
tant discovery. 

“What’s that?” demanded the others, in the same 
breath. 

“ They have put the grating on the main hatch, so 
that we can’t go on deck if we wish to do so,” re- 
plied Wilde, who had begun to be regarded as one 
with a weak back. 

“ No matter for that,” answered Raymond, with an 
effort to laugh, though be was far from being satisfied 
with the situation as indicated by the closed hatch. 
“ As we don’t want to go on deck, it makes no differ- 
ence to us.” 

“ That’s so,” added Lindsley. “ They have put on 
the grating to make a show. They can’t do anything 
while sixty of the crew are below.” 

“ Are you sure there are sixty? ” asked Hyde, doubt- 
fully. 

“ Take twelve from the whole crew, and it leaves 
sixty. But count them for yourself, if you are not 
satisfied with my figures.” 

7 


98 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ I Will ; ” and he left the mess-room for this pur- 
pose. 

He had the curiosity to look up the hatch, and 
made another discovery — that the stout boatswain 
was there, apparently keeping watch. The faithful 
had just marched to the quarter-deck, to indicate that 
they were willing to “ keep their own counsel,” as 
requested by the principal. Hyde returned to the 
room to report the fact. It looked like decided meas- 
ures to him. 

“ I think we are caged,” said he. 

“No matter if we are,” replied Raymond, with a 
sneer. “ One thing is plain enough ; they can’t go to 
sea without us.” 

“ No ; twelve fellows can’t get the anchor up, even 
with the help of Peaks,” added Lindsley. 

“ O, we’ve got them,” persisted Raymond. “ We 
are a majority of all hands, even if you count the offi- 
cers on the other side ; and I happen to know they 
are as much dissatisfied as we are.” 

Hyde left the room again, and succeeded in making 
a count of all the seamen in the steerage. 

“ Humph ! ” snuffed he, on his return. “ You 
counted the fellows with your elbows, Raymond. 
There are only forty-four in the steerage.” 

“ Forty-four ! ” sneered Raymond. “ Does twelve 
from seventy-two leave forty-four?” 

“ No ; but twenty-eight from seventy-two leaves 
forty-four,” retorted Hyde. “ I’m sure I’m right.” 

Raymond was not satisfied, and counted for himself, 
but with no different result; and Lindsley suggested 
that some of the twenty-eight were on deck when the 
boatswain’s call sounded, 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


99 


“Well, what’s the odds?” demanded the mortified 
leader of the moderate party. “ They can’t get the ship 
under way with twenty-eight much better than with 
twelve. It takes thirty-two, to man the capstan. 
What are they doing on deck?” 

“ I don’t know,” replied Hyde. “ I was going up 
the ladder to ascertain, but Peaks drove me away. I 
heard them lowering boats, but I could not make out 
what they intend to do.” 

“ O, it’s all right. You needn’t fret about it,” added 
the leader. 

Probably no one was more disturbed than he. The 
lowering of the boats was discussed in full, but noth- 
ing could be made of it, though Raymond insisted 
that the ship could not go to sea while the boats were 
away. Half an hour later they heard the faithful on 
deck hoisting up the boats. Hyde stood at the door of 
the mess-room watching the hatchway, for any chance 
revelation of the principal’s intentions. The same 
doubt and uncertainty, as well as curiosity in regard 
to the movements on deck, prevailed in all the other 
mess-rooms. It had been agreed that all hands should 
remain in their rooms ; but this agreement was now 
violated, and most of the mutineers were gathered at 
the doors, anxious to obtain intelligence from the 
deck. 

Suddenly the grating was removed from the hatch. 

“ All hands, up anchor, ahoy ! ” shouted the boat- 
swain, for the third, and, as it proved, the last time. 

But no one came below to remonstrate, or ask for 
the explanation which a majority of the rebels were 
now exceedingly anxious to give. The moment the 
call sounded, Wilde walked towards the ladder. 


lOO 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“Where are you going?” demanded Raymond, 
angrily. 

“I have had enough of this thing,” he replied, and, 
without waiting for any further parley, went on deck, 
though the rebels hissed him. 

Another seaman from one of the other mess-rooms 
followed his example, though Howe seized him by the 
collar, and attempted to detain him by force. For- 
tunately he was a stout fellow, and shook off his as- 
sailant. A storm of hisses and abuse followed him 
as he went up the ladder. Doubtless this treatment 
of the weak-backed, as they were considered, deterred 
others from imitating their example, for the faithful 
had only these two added to their number. 

“ I’m glad we are rid of them,” said Raymond. 
“ Fellows with weak backs don’t do us any good.” 

“They add to our number, at any rate,” replied 
Hyde, who, if he could have escaped the odium of the 
movement, would have gone on deck himself. 

“ No matter for that ; we have forty-two left, and 
the ship can’t go to sea without our help,” added Ray- 
mond. 

“ I’m not quite sure of that,” answered Hyde. 

“ No matter if she does go to sea,” said Lindsley. 

“ But she can’t go,” persisted Raymond. “ All we 
want is a chance to state our grievances ; and the 
principal is not going to let us stay down here a great 
many days without knowing what the matter is.” 

“ Hark ! ” said Hyde, as the boatswain’s whistle 
sounded on deck. 

“ Man the capstan ! ” shouted Goodwin, the first 
lieutenant. 





YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


lOI 


“ Doesn’t that look as though the ship was going to 
sea ? ” added the sceptical Hyde. “ I tell you what it 
is, fellows, we are sold ! ” 

“Sold? Not a bit of it! We are in the winning 
boat.” 

“ Not exactly.” 

The rebels listened to the merry pipe of those 
who walked around the capstan, and heard the grating 
of the chain cables as they passed through the tiers 
into the lockers in the hold. It was plain enough 
that thirty-two hands had been found to man the cap- 
stan, for the anchor was certainly coming up from its 
miry bed. These sounds produced something like 
consternation among the mutineers, for they indicated 
at least a partial failure of the scheme in which they 
had trusted for redress. 

“ Go ahead ! ” shouted the executive officer through 
his trumpet. 

“Go ahead?” repeated Raymond, as he went to 
the sky-light. “ Not a sail has been set.” 

“ But she is moving,” said Hyde. “I see how it 
is. They have taken a tug-steamer.” 

“ They are not going to tow the ship to Belfast,” 
answered Raymond, as he went to one of the port gang- 
ways from which the mess-rooms opened. “ There 
goes the Josephine, under sail. In my opinion, they 
are only dropping down to another anchorage. The 
principal will not think of such a thing as going to 
sea with only thirty seamen. It isn’t safe to do so.” 

“ When it isn’t safe. Peaks will be down here, 
and you will have to turn out and do duty,” said 
Hyde. 


102 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


At that instant, as if to verify the prophecy of the 
croaker, the stalwart boatswain, with the assistance 
of the carpenter, lifted the grating off the main hatch. 
Most of the rebels retreated to their rooms ; but it was 
a false alarm, for the two adult seamen, instead of 
coming below themselves, only lifted up the ladder, 
and drew it on deck, restoring the grating when it 
was done. 

“ That looks like something,” said Lindsley. 

“ I tell you we are sold,” added Hyde. “ The prin- 
cipal isn’t coming down here to ask us for an explana- 
tion. It isn’t his style.” 

“ Don’t croak any more, Hyde,” protested Ray- 
mond, in disgust. 

“ I only say we are sold, and you can’t deny it.” 

“ Wait and see.” 

They did wait, and after a while they heard the 
order to shake out the topsails. Looking up through 
the main skylight, they saw lieutenants, masters, and 
midshipmen, on the yards. They listened to the 
voices of Paul Kendall, Gordon, and Haven, issu- 
ing orders which were usually given by the lieuten- 
ants. From what they saw and what they heard, 
they were enabled to arrive at a tolerably correct 
solution of the means by which the ship was at pres- 
ent handled. They understood that the larger por^ 
tion of the officers were doing duty as seamen, while 
the past officers were serving as volunteers under the 
captain. 

“ We might as well cave in, and go on deck,” 
said Hj^de, after the movements on deck had been 
thoroughly discussed. 


V 




YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


103 


“ Hi>fnph ! You can’t get on deck, to begin with,” 
leplied Raymond. “ But I haven’t any idea of giving 
it up so.” 

“ The plan has failed — that’s plain enough,” added 
Hyde. 

“ Not yet.” 

“ I think it has. We are whipped out, and the 
sooner we make our peace with Mr. Lowington, the 
better it will be for us.” 

“ If you mean to back out, say so, Hyde.” 

“ I don’t want to back out while the rest of the 
fellows stick.” 

“ How will it do to send a messenger to the princi- 
pal, state our grievances, and have the thing over ? ” 
suggested Johnson. 

This idea met with considerable favor, but the prin- 
cipal objection to the measure was, that the messenger 
could not get on deck, as the ladder was removed from 
the main hatch, and the forward one was closed. The 
ship careened, the waves dashed against the bow, and 
it was evident that she was going to sea in good ear- 
nest. A large portion of the rebels were now studying 
up a plan to get out of the scrape, rather than to es- 
tablish their rights. The boatswain’s whistle sounded 
on deck, and all hands were piped to muster. Vainly 
the mutir.eers tried to ascertain what was going on, 
while Mr. Lowington was making his explanation to 
the faithful ; but the parties were on the quarter-deck 
beyond their sight and hearing. Only the applause 
which followed Grace’s proposition to decorate the 
mcKibers of the Order of the Faithful reached their 
ea/s. The ceremony itself, which took place in the 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


104 

waist, indicated that those on deck were having an 
exceedingly jolly time, though the nature of the per- 
formance was not understood. Then, when the Grand 
Protectress was elected, the hilarious mirth of the 
Faithful was positively sickening to the rebels. Those 
on deck appeared to be making fun of those below, 
for what else could they be laughing at, since the 
refusal of the rebels to do duty must be the all-absorb- 
ing topic on board? The situation was very unsatis- 
factory to the mild mutineers, and not very hopeful to 
the runaways. 

Let them laugh,” said Raymond, whistling up his 
courage, so that he could maintain the dignity and 
firmness of a leader. “ If we hold out, we shall carry 
our point. I have looked at the tell-tale, and the ship 
is headed to the north-west. If the course means any- 
thing, it means Belfast.” 

“What’s the use of talking?” exclaimed Johnson. 
“ The plan I proposed is the only one now. I move 
you we send a messenger to the principal.” 

“You can’t get on deck,” retorted Raymond. 

“ We can hail some one on deck, or knock at the 
door of the main cabin.” 

“ It looks like backing out,” added Lindsley. 

“ That is what we shall have to do in the end, and 
we may as well do it first as last,” said Hyde. 

“ Hold on ! Here comes Howe,” continued Linds- 
ley. “ Let us hear what he has to say.” 

“ I don’t care what he says,” muttered Hyde, who, 
like many other of the mild rebels, was not willing to 
join hands with the virulent and intense ones. 

“ I say, fellows, we are not making much on this 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. lO^ 

tack,” Howe began, as he joined the group at the door 
of the mess-room. “ We are going to have a meeting 
abaft the foremast, to decide what shall he done next. 
All hands are invited.” 

Howe moved on to extend the invitation to others. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


io6 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE VISIT TO THE HOLD. 

“T DON’T attend any meeting with those fellows,” 
JL said the prudent Hyde, as the rebels began to 
gather at the place indicated. 

“ There is no harm in hearing what they have to 
say,” replied Lindsley. 

“ I don’t care what they have to say. I won’t have 
anything to do with them. In my opinion they are 
trying to get us all into a scrape.” 

“ You are in one now, and you may as well be 
hung for an* old sheep as a lamb.” 

“ I would rather be hung for a lamb,” answered 
Hyde, turning on his heel, and walking as Dr from 
the foremast as the limits of the steerage would per- 
mit. 

About a dozen others followed his example, for the 
meeting was understood to be called by the runaways, 
who represented the most virulent type of rebellion. 
They had already lost all their privileges for the sea- 
son, which could be restored only by the grace of 
the principal, and they had nothing to sacrifice. It 
was not prudent to enter into their counsels, and the 
mildest rebels, like Hyde and Johnson, avoided them. 

“We are not making much on this tack,” said 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 107 

Howe, when the rebels, who chose to take part in the 
meeting, had assembled. 

“ That’s so ! ” exclaimed Lindsley. 

“Well, what’s to be done? That’s the next ques- 
tion.” 

“Nothing,” added Raymond, who dreaded any 
extreme measures, and did not mean that Howe’s 
party should obtain control of the movement. “As 
I understand the matter, all is going on right. We 
have only to hold out, and everything will end well 
for us.” 

“ But we are shut up in the steerage. We are 
prisoners. The tables are turned upon us,” replied 
Howe. 

“ Not at all. We have carried our point so far. 
We refused to do duty, and we haven’t done any. I 
am in favor of fighting it out in this manner to the 
end.” 

“ It is a milk-and-water affair as it is now, and 
won’t amount to anything.” 

“ What’s the reason it won’t ? ” demanded the 
champion of the mild part}^ 

“ Suppose the main hatch were opened, and the 
boatswain should call all hands — how many of us do 
you suppose would be left? There are a dozen of 
your chickens that would back down so quick it would 
make your eyes smart,” added the champion of the 
intense party, pointing to the group which had col- 
lected around Hyde, who appeared to be forming a 
oarty of his own. “ And the next time the call was 
made, a lot more would slump. Before long we 
should be so reduced in numbers that the brig would 


lo8 DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

bold US all, and a few of us would have to stand the 
punishment for the sins of the crowd. You led us 
into the scrape ; now you must help us out of it.” 

“Who led you into it?” asked Raymond, indig- 
nantly. 

“You and your fellows, of course,” retorted the 
heavy champion. 

“ I don’t see it.” 

“ Don’t you ? Then you are as green as a tame 
pigeon,” continued Howe, smartly. “Our fellows — 
of course you know I mean those who ran away in 
the Josephine — are under the ban already. Did you 
suppose we were going into an affair like this alone? 
Not much ! We went in because you did ; to back 
up your movement. Now we are in it, you want 
to back out, and let your fellows show the white 
feather.” 

“ I don’t mean to back out,” protested Raymond. 

“But those fellows out there do,” added the wily 
rogue. 

“ Well, there are thirty of us here, who will stick 
to the end. What do you say, fellows?” 

“ Of course we will,” replied several, very mildly. 

“ Will you agree, upon your word and honor, to 
stick as long as any one does?” 

“ That depends upon circumstances,” interposed 
Lindsley. 

“I suppose it does,” sneered Howe. “It isn’t fair 
to leave us to bear the brunt of the whole.” 

“ All we ever proposed to do was simply to refuse to 
do duty till we had explained our position to the prin- 
cipal,” added Raymond. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


109 

“And kiss the rod, whether you get fair play or 
not,” replied Howe. 

“ We can’t do anything more than that. When 
the principal understands that over forty of us are dis- 
satisfied, we have gained our point.” 

“ Have you indeed ! ” flouted Howe. “ Then I 
fancy you have already gained it, for he has found 
out that you are dissatisfied by this time.” 

“ Well, what do you want to do? ” demanded Ray- 
mond. 

“ It’s no use to mince the matter. We have made 
a failure of it so far. The lambs on deck are having 
a good time, laugliing, cheering, and carrying on — 
making game of us, no doubt, while we are shut up 
here as prisoners,” replied Howe, rolling up his 
sleeves, as though he intended to do something sav- 
age. “ We ought to make ourselves felt, which we 
haven’t done yet, for the rest of the ship’s company 
seem to regard our movement as a good joke, and to 
think we are having the worst of it. Well. I think 
we are ; and we must make ourselves felt.” 

“ Do you call it making yourselves felt when you are 
pounded on the head with belaying pins, as you were 
in the Josephine?” inquired Lindsley, dryly. 

“ We raised a breeze there, and we are bound to do 
it here.” 

“A breeze that first knocks you down yourself. 1 
would rather have the wind blow another way,” add- 
ed Raymond. 

“ I don’t mean to get up a fight, or anything of 
that sort.” 

“ Well, what do you mean?” asked Raymond, im^ 
patiently. 


I lO 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ We have plans of our own ; but we are not going 
to disclose them till we have some assurance that the 
other fellows will stand by us,” answered the cautious 
leader of the intense party. “ We are going to make 
ourselves felt.” 

“ We are not going to agree to anything without 
knowing what it is,” said Lindsley. 

“ And we are not going to let on to fellows that may 
go to the principal, and blow the whole thing. I will 
say this : If your fellows will pledge themselves, word 
and honor, to stand by us to the end, I will agree that 
the ship shall return to Havre, or some other port in 
France, within twenty-four hours, and that the tables 
shall be turned in our favor.” 

How are you going to do it?” asked Lindsley. 

“ Leave that to me. I have a plan which cannot 
fail. Do the fair thing by us, and we will get you out 
of the scrape.” 

“ I will agree to this, and nothing more : I will 
stand out till we have a chance to be heard,” replied 
Raymond, who began to have some hope of the mys- 
terious movements of Howe. “ I will do nothing but 
stand out.” 

“We don’t ask you to do anything else. We will 
do the rest, if you back us up.” 

“We don’t back you up, for we don’t even know 
what you are going to do.” 

“ We will tell you what we are going to do.” 

“ Hold on ! Perhaps we had better not know any- 
thing about it,” interposed Raymond. 

“ No, you don’t ! ” exclaimed Howe. “ We will tell 
those who will take the oath.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


Ill 


“ The oath ! ” ejaculated Lindsley. “ Are we join, 
ing the Knights of the Golden Fleece?” 

“ No, no ! I mean the promise,” answered Howe, 
impatiently. “Word and honor — that’s all I want.” 

The runaway portion of the rebels were doubtless 
already familiar with the extraordinary means which 
was to turn the ship back to the ports of France. 
The others, who attended the meeting, were largel}' 
influenced by curiosity. They were intensely morti- 
fied at the defeat, which they were unwilling to ac- 
knowledge. It would afford them immense satisfac- 
tion to have the tables turned in their favor ; but they 
were utterly unable to imagine what powerful ma- 
chinery Howe and his associates could bring to bear 
upon the obdurate principal ; how they were to com- 
pel him to put the ship about, and return to France. 

The mild party retired to consider whether it would 
be prudent for them to enter into a compact of this 
description with such dangerous characters as the run- 
aways. They were prejudiced against the measure, 
but victory in the undertaking, in which they had 
engaged, was so earnestly coveted, that they were 
tempted to join hands even with Howe, Little, Wil- 
ton, and other desperate fellows. When a person has 
once gone astray, the inducements to go farther in- 
crease. But Raymond and his friends were not quite 
willing to pledge themselves in advance to measures 
which they were not allowed to understand ; and thev 
finally agreed to bind themselves to secrecy, in regard 
to the nature of the scheme, if Howe would explain it 
on these terms, and then engage in it if it were not 
too wicked. The party returned to the foremast, and 
Raymond stated their position. 


II2 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ That won’t go down,” promptly replied Howe, 
with his bullying, self-sufficient air. “ We are to tell 
you what our plan is, and let you adopt it or not, as 
you please ! No, sir ! ” 

“We pledge ourselves beforehand to keep your 
secret, whether we join with you or not.” 

“ We won’t trust you.” 

“ Very well,” added Raymond, decidedly. “ Noth- 
ing more need be said. Come, fellows.” 

The leader of the mild party turned on his heel, and 
moved aft, followed by his adherents. 

“What do you suppose they mean to do?” asked 
Lindsley, as they halted under the skylight, near the 
middle of the steerage. 

“ I don’t know ; but it must be something desperate 
to compel the principal to put back,” replied Raymond. 
“ It may be to make a few auger-holes in the bottom 
of the ship.” 

“ I wouldn’t do anything of that sort,” added Linds- 
ley, shaking his head. 

“ No matter what it is ; we offered to do the fair 
thing.” 

“ Suppose you had agreed to keep still, and they 
had proposed to bore holes in the bottom of the ship ; 
would you have kept your promise, and said nothing 
about it? ” asked Lindsley. 

“ I would not have let them do it ; and then there 
v/ould have been nothing to conceal,” answered Ray- 
mond. 

“ Precisely so ! That’s a good idea. Why not 
agree to their proposition, and then, if they mean to 
do anything which endangers the ship, we can easily 
prevent them from doing it,” said Lindsley, who was 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. II3 

exceedingly curious to know what the runaways 
wished to do. 

Others were affected with the same desire, and 
their curiosity was rapidly overcoming their pru- 
dence. While they were discussing the question, 
Hyde and his party, seeing that Raymond and his 
associates had withdrawn from the runaways, came 
to the spot, and disturbed the conference with irrele- 
vant questions. If all the mild mutineers could be 
induced to cling together, they could easily^ overrule 
Howe and his party. Just then, there was not that 
unity which alone insures success. There were 
actually three parties in the steerage, and it was 
necessary to reconcile them, or the rebellion would 
end in an ignominious failure. But this was found 
to be quite impossible, so far as Hyde and his part} 
were concerned ; for if the boatswain’s call had sound 
ed at that moment, they would have returned to thei) 
duty, if permitted to do so. Raymond would not con 
sent to make terms with Howe, without the concur 
rence of all the others, including Hyde. 

Howe was quite as much disgusted with the situa^ 
tion as any of the milder rebels. He had hoped and 
expected to drag them into any desperate scheme 
which might be adopted, and after Raymond and his 
party retired, he looked rather blankly at his friends. 

“ They are nothing but babies — little spoonies ! ” 
said he, contemptuously. “ It isn’t safe to do anything 
with them.” 

“ Nor without them,” suggested Spencer. 

“ I don’t believe that,” added Little. “ They are in 
for it already. They will be held responsible for 
8 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


II4 

anything done below, as well as we. Let’s go on with 
the job, just as we intended.” 

After considerable discussion, the suggestion of the 
little villain was adopted, with a modification, how- 
ever, proposed by himself, by which the whole party 
were to be implicated in the mischief. No time was 
to be lost, for a portion of the faithful, who appeared 
still to be having a good time on deck, would soon 
come below to turn in. Howe and Little went to 
the main scuttle, which opened into the hold, and 
raised it. 

“What are you going to do?” asked Raymond. 

“ We are going to hide in the hold, just for the fun 
of the thing,” replied Little. “Won’t you come down 
with us?” 

“ That’s not a bad idea,” suggested Lindsley. 
“ When they come down to look for us, they won’t 
find us. That will make a sensation, at least, and 
then we shall not be entirely ignored.” 

“Are you going to stay there all night?” inquired 
Raymond. 

“Yes — why not?” answered Lindsley. “ It is not 
quite so comfortable a place to sleep as the mess- 
rooms ; but we can stand it for one night.” 

Even the mild rebels, Hyde and Johnson, were 
pleased with the plan, for it looked like an adventure. 
The persuasions of Lindsley induced them to yield 
whatever scruples they had. It would be a rich thing 
to have the principal or the officers come down into 
the steerage, and find it empty. There was still a 
chance to make the principal do something, even if it 
were only to call them up for punishment ; for any^ 
thing seemed better than being entirely ignored. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


II5 


Little and Howe, each with a lantern in his hand, 
which he had taken from the lamp-room forward, led 
the way into the hold. All the members of the three 
parties followed ; the mild rebels regarding the move- 
ment rather as a piece of fun than as anything which 
added to the guilt they had already incurred. When 
the last one had descended the ladder, Howe put on 
the scuttle, and the steerage was “ like some banquet 
hall deserted,” for the stewards were either on deck 
or in the kitchen, where they spent their leisure 
hours. 

As soon as the rebels were all in the hold, they sep- 
arated into three parties again, as they had been in the 
steerage. Little, with his lantern, went forward, where 
he was soon joined by rhe rest of the runaways ; Hyde 
and his companions went aft ; and Raymond’s party 
remained near the main scuttle. The hold was divid- 
ed into store-rooms, forward and aft, while the space 
amidships was devoted to the stowage of boxes, bar- 
rels, water casks, and other articles. Tlie water tanks 
were near the heel of the foremast, where Howe and 
his party had located themselves. They contained the 
entire supply of the ship, while she was going from 
port to port, or lying in harbor. They had been fitted 
up under the direction of Mr. Lowington. The water 
was drawn from them by means of a pump in the 
kitchen, the pipe of which could be adjusted to either 
of them with screw connections. 

“ We must do the job quick, and get out of this 
place, or we may be fastened down here, as we were 
in the steerage,” said Little, in a low tone, though he 
need not have troubled himself to use this precaution. 


/l6 DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

for the dashing of the sea against the side of the vessel 
made so much noise, that those who were twenty feet 
distance could not have heard him. 

“ Are you sure we are not burning our own fin- 
gers? ” asked Ibbotson. “My experience in the 
Josephine, when we were short of water, taught me 
what it was to be without it, especially when you 
have to feed on salt horse and hard bread.’’ 

“ That’s so,” added Spencer. 

Can’t we save some for ourselves?” inquired 
Wilton. 

“What’s the use? We shall return to Havre as 
ooon as the officers find that the water tanks are 
empty,” added Little. 

“But why not save some?” persisted Wilton. 
“ There are lots of bottles on the ballast, and a tun- 
nel on the vinegar barrel. Hurry up, and fill a bottle 
for each fellow.” 

A dozen of the rebels rushed aft, and procured the 
bottles, while Little started the faucets which were 
used in drawing off the water, when it was necessary 
to clean out the tanks, or for use when the pump 
above was out of order. This was the precious scheme 
by wdiich the intense rebels intended to compel the prin- 
cipal to return to port immediately. There could be 
no doubt that it would be an effectual one, for with no 
fresh water the ship could not remain a single day at 
sea without causing great discomfort, if not actual 
suffering, to those on board. This happy expedient 
had been devised by Little, and it was diabolical 
enough to be the invention of his fertile genius. 

The bottles were brought up, and with the aid of 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. iiy 

the tunnel, a dozen and a half of them were filled — 
just enough for the Howe party, for they did not 
intend to look out for the comfort of those who 
would not fully join them in their plans. The water 
rushed from the tanks, and flowed away into the 
ballast underneath. The faucets were large, and 
in a short time the tanks were empty. As the ship 
rolled each way, almost the last drop in them was 
poured out. 

“ Now let us get out of here before we are fastened 
in,” said Little, after he had adjusted the faucets. 

“ There will be a sweet row when they find out 
the tanks are empty,” added Howe, fully believing that 
the party had now done something to make them- 
selves felt. 

“ It will please me to hear them howl,” continued 
Wilton. 

“ Keep your bottles out of sight,” said Howe. 
“ Don’t let those fellows see them, or they will smell 
a mice.” 

“ Don’t you suppose they know what we have been 
doing? ” inquired Monroe. 

“How should they? The swashing of the sea 
made so much noise they couldn’t hear the water 
running out,” answered Little. 

“ Don’t let on.” 

The party concealed their bottles under their cloth- 
ing, and moved towards the ladder by which they had 
descended. 

“What were you doing with all those bottles?” 
asked Raymond. 

“ What bottles?” demanded Little. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


£i8 

“ We saw you take a lot of bottles from the ballast 
there,” replied Raymond, whose party had been dis- 
cussing the probable use to which they were to be ap- 
plied, though they reached no satisfactory conclusion. 

“ Well, ril tell you what they were for,” answered 
Little. “ We were going to have some fun, pelting 
them with stones, just as we used to play duck on 
shore, you know ; but we concluded not to do so, lest 
the stewards in the kitchen should hear the noise, and 
make a row about it — that’s all.” 

“Where are you going now?” inquired Lindsley, 
who was not quite satisfied with this lucid explanation 
— as though fellows engaged in a mutiny would care 
to amuse themselves pelting bottles ! 

“ We have just made up our minds that it is not 
quite safe to stay down here any longer.” 

“Why not?” 

“ Suppose they should fasten us in?” 

“Suppose they should? I thought you intended to 
stay down here,” said Raymond, v/ho concluded that 
the runaways were very fickle in their purposes. 

“ We did intend to do so ; but we hadn’t looked 
over all the ground. It has just occurred to us that 
the thirty lambs, who kiss the rod that smites them, 
would not come into the steerage to-night. It will 
take about the whole of them to stand watch, and if 
any of them go below, they will sleep on the floor 
of the main and after cabins, where they cannot be 
corrupted by such wicked fellows as you and I, Ray- 
mond. So, you see, if we can’t get up any sensa- 
tion by sleeping on the ballast, what’s the use of mak- 
ing yourself uncomfortable for nothing. That’s the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. II9 

idea. Let us go into the steerage, and turn in for the 
night.” 

“ I don’t believe in backing out,” said Raymond, 
not very well pleased to hear Little class him with 
himself. 

“ Don’t back out, then, my dear fellow. Stay here 
all night, and have a good time,” added the little 
villain, as he ascended the ladder, and opened the 
scuttle. 

‘‘ I’m not going to stay here if the rest don’t,” inter- 
posed Lindsley ; and all the Howe party followed the 
runaways. 

Hyde’s party, seeing that all the others were retreat- 
ing, came to the ladder, and asked for an explanation. 
Howe replied that the runaways were sick of the 
game, and had returned to the steerage ; and the third 
squad followed the example of the other two. The 
hold was left as empty of human beings as the tanks 
were of water. 

By this time the watch on deck had been sta- 
tioned, and the rest of the crew were permitted to 
retire. As there was no danger that the mutineers 
would escape from the ship, the grating was removetl 
from the main hatch ; but a portion of the watch, in- 
cluding Peaks and the head steward, were posted near 
it, to prevent any seaman not wearing the white rib- 
bon of the Order of the Faithful from coming on 
deck. Fifteen of the thirty who had done their duty 
came below to turn in. Their appearance created a 
sensation among the disaffected. Now they would 
ascertain what had been said on deck about their re- 
fusal to answer the call. Now they could hear, second- 


120 DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

handed, the sermon which the principal had preached, 
and which they had heard the faithful applaud. Now, 
they could learn what terrible fate had been marked 
out for the rebels. 

When the faithful came into the steerage, the first 
thing the rebels noticed was the white ribbons which 
adorned their breasts. Of course they wanted to know 
what it meant ; but they felt a little embarrassed under 
the circumstances, and did not like to ask direct 
questions at first. They wished and expected the 
faithful to open the subject by telling them what a 
mistake they had made in not being “good.” But the 
lambs did not say a word to them ; did not appear to 
notice them, or to indicate by their actions that any 
unusual event was in progress on board. There was 
a great deal of silent skirmishing in the steerage. 
Raymond, who had always been pretty intimate with 
Tremere, as they both berthed in the same mess-room, 
continually threw himself in the way of the latter, in 
order to tempt him to speak of the evening’s occur- 
rences. Tremere was as silent as a marble statue, 
though he looked as composed and good-natured as 
ever ; indeed, rather more so than usual. 

“How’s the weather on deck, Tremere?” finally 
asked Raymond, when no hint would induce the faith- 
ful one to speak first. 

“ It looks like a change. I shouldn’t wonder if all 
hands were called to furl top-gallant sails and reef 
topsails before eight bells,” answered Tremere. 

“ How did you get along working ship?” 

“ For further particulars, inquire of the principal,” 
replied he. 








YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


121 


“ What do you mean by that? ” 

“ Speech is silver, silence is golden.” 

“ Humph ! ” sneered Raymond, puzzled by the sin- 
gular replies of his friend. 

“ Yours truly,” laughed Tremere. 

“Why don’t you speak?” 

“ I haven’t learned my piece.” 

“You have learned a piece of impudence.” 

“ ‘ He that hath but impudence 

To all things has a fair pretence.’” 

“Are you mad, Tremere?” 

“ ‘ Though this be madness, yet there’s method in 
it.’ ” 

“ Qiiit your quotations ! What’s that on your 
coat? ” 

“ A coat-ation.” 

“ If you are mad with me, Tremere, say so.” 

“ ‘ I am not mad ! no, no, I am not mad ! ’ ” shouted 
the member of the Order of the Faithful, with appro- 
priate gestures and expression. 

“ Come, quit fooling ! Can’t you talk sense? ” 

“ I can and will ; for 

‘ Want of decency is want of sense.’ 

‘In college halls, in ancient times, there dwelt 
A sage called Discipline.’ ” 

But you didn’t go to school to the old fellow, Ray- 
mond.” 

“ I believe you have lost your wits ! Now, be rea- 
sonable, and talk like a sensible fellow. What is 
this?” asked Raymond, putting his finger on the white 
ribbon. 


t22 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ A ribbon.” 

“ What is it for?” 

“ For me.” 

“ Who gave it to you ? ” 

“ The person who had it next before I did.” 

“ Humph ! How silly you are ! Where did you 
get it?” 

“On deck.” 

“ But who gave it to you.” 

“ The donor thereof.” 

“ Who is the donor thereof.” 

“ The one who gave it to me.” 

“ If you won’t answer me, say so. Don’t try to 
make a fool of me.” 

“ I usurp not nature’s kindly office.” 

“ Do you mean to insult me?” 

“No ; I mean to turn in, for I may be called before 
I have had my snooze out;” and Tremere, yawning 
as if he were bored and very indifferent, walked into 
the mess-room which contained his berth. 

Those who had listened to the conversation were 
very much amused by it, and the rest of the Faithful 
took their cue from Tremere. Not one of them would 
answer a question or give a particle of information in 
regard to what had transpired on deck. All of them 
appeared to be astonishingly good-natured^ and no 
one seemed to be disconcerted by the rebellion, except 
the rebels. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY, 


12 .^ 


CHAPTER VIIL 


SHORT OF WATER. 



HEY may play bluff as much as they like ; but 


1 you had better believe there will be a sensa- 
tion in the morning, if not before,” said Howe, — after 
the fifteen members of the Order of the Faithful had 
retired to their rooms, — addressing Raymond, who 
manifested no little vexation at the cavalier manner in 
which he had been treated by his friend and mess- 


mate. 


“ What will that be?” asked the milder rebel. 

“ Wait, and you will see,” replied Howe, mysteri- 
ously. “ We didn’t go down into the hold for 
nothing.” 

“ What did you go down for?” 

“You will find out soon.” 

“ Well, I want you to understand that I didn’t have 
anything to do with )'our plots and schemes,” added 
Raymond, cautiously. 

“You didn’t! Who said you didn’t? I say, Ray- 
mond, you are a good fellow to kiss the hand that 
smites you ; and I hope you will keep on kissing it. 
What did you try to pump Tremere for, after you saw 
what he was up to?” 

“ I wanted to know what he was up to.” 


124 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Don’t you know? It is a game of bluff. Those 
fellows pretend to be indifferent to what we are 
doing.” 

“ They certainly seem to be very indifferent. Have 
you any idea what that white ribbon means?” 

“Have I? Certainly I have. Can’t you see through 
the side of the ship, when there’s a port in it ? That 
ribbon is to distinguish the lambs from the black 
sheep, like you and me.” 

“ Pooh ! What’s the use of that?” 

“ So that the officers can tell them in the dark as 
well as at noonday. But Little has given those fel- 
lows a name already. He calls them the White 
Feathers. We must laugh at them, make game of 
them, whip them with their own weapons. Hark ! ” 
said Howe, suddenly turning his head towards the 
kitchen, near the door of which they stood. 

“ Wbat’s the matter?” 

“ They are trying the pump,” replied Howe, as 
both of them plainly heard the sucking, “ squilching” 
noise made by the copper pump, from which the cook 
was trying to draw water from the tanks below. 

“What of it?” demanded Raymond, who did not 
see anything remarkable in the circumstance. 

“ Never mind ; you will find out soon enough,” an- 
swered the chief runaway, as he left his companion 
thoroughly mystified, and not a little alarmed ; for it 
was evident that some terrible mischief had been per^ 
petrated. 

The pump sucked and groaned under the efforts of 
the cook, who had been directed to make a pot of 
coffee for the use of the watch, and was now trying 


V 



YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 25 

to obtain water for that purpose. None would come, 
and it was plain to him that the pump was out 
of order. Taking a bucket and a lantern, he passed 
into the steerage, and opened the scuttle. The run- 
aways observed him with intense interest ; for the 
time had come when they were to “ make themselves 
felt.” The cook went down into the hold, and was 
absent about a quarter of an hour. He returned with 
an empty bucket in his hand, and hastened on deck 
with the alarming intelligence that the water tanks 
were all empty, which he communicated to the head 
steward. 

As the tanks had been filled just before the ship left 
the dock at Havre, the head steward was not willing 
to believe the startling report. He went into the hold 
himself with the cook. By this time the runaways 
thought it prudent to keep out of sight, and all of 
them retired to their rooms, and most of them to their 
berths. The head steward tried the tanks, and was. 
satisfied with the truth of the report. When the ship 
rolled, the faucets on the lee side poured out a few 
drops of water. Sounded with a mallet, the tanks 
gave forth only a hollow, empty sound. The steward 
was astonished and mortified at the discovery, for he 
was responsible for keeping the ship supplied with 
water, as well as with all other necessaries in the 
culinary department. He inquired very particularly 
in regard to the state of the faucets when the cook had 
first come below to draw water, and was assured that 
they were firmly closed. He lifted up some of the 
ballast, and saw that it was wet. He went to the 
well, where all the leakage of the ship is collected to 
be thrown up by the pumps. 


126 ^ DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

The ship was regularly pumped out twice a day, 
and this duty had been performed just before the crew 
were piped to supper. There should have been but 
little water in the well ; but there was enougli to sat- 
isfy the head steward that the contents of the water 
tanks had flowed into it. Dipping one of his fingers 
into the water, he tasted it, and its freshness was an- 
other convincing proof of the fact. 

“ Has any one but the cooks and stewards been in 
the hold ? ” he inquired. 

“ Not that I know of,” replied the cook. “ I haven’t 
been out of the kitchen since supper.” 

“ Over forty of the students have been in the steer- 
age since the ship sailed.” 

‘‘ The stewards told me that the boys were stand- 
ing out.” 

“ In my opinion, some of them have been in the 
hold, and started those faucets.” 

“You don’t think they’d do that — do you?” ex- 
claimed the cook. 

“ Some of them would sink the ship, if they dared. 
I think the principal did not manage this aflair just 
right. He ought to have seized the young rascals up 
to the rigging, and kept them there till they were ready 
to do duty without grumbling. Now let us see if 
there is water in any of the casks.” 

“ No, sir ; the boatswain broke ’em out, and cleaned 
the casks, while we were in the dock.” 

The head steward took the mallet, and sounded upon 
the head of each cask. They were all empty ; and it 
was clear enough that there was not a drop of fresh 
water in the hold, except that which was already 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. \ 2j 

mingled with the foul bilge-water under the ballast. 
The ship was going to sea, and both clouds and 
barometer indicated heavy weather. The steward 
was troubled, and immediately hastened to the princi- 
pal with the alarming intelligence. lie found Mr. 
Lowington in the main cabin, an J announced the dis- 
covery he had made. 

“ It is a scheme to drive the ship back to port,” 
added the principal, after he had satisfied himself, by 
questioning the steward, that the tanks had really been 
filled while the ship was in the dock. 

“Well, sir, it seems to me that the plan must be 
successful,” added the steward, with a grim smile. 

“ Doubtless it will be ; but we will not return to 
Havre. We shall be off Cherbourg in the morning, 
and we will make a harbor there. But there must 
be some water on board.” 

“ Only what is in the water-jars, sir. Possibly there 
are ten or fifteen gallons in all of them.” 

There was a large water jar in the steerage, and one 
in each of the two cabins, which had been filled just 
before the ship sailed. The steward was directed to 
draw them off', and save the water, to be dealt out as 
sparingly as the emergency might require. There were 
several tons of ice in the store-room, which had been 
filled at Havre ; and there was no danger of any suf- 
fering for the want of the needed element. The prin- 
cipal went on deck with the steward, and observed 
that the wind was freshening, with a decidedly nasty 
look to windward. It might not be possible to go 
into Cherbourg the next morning with safety; and 
Mr. Lowington did not like the idea of being driven 


128 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


into port before the mutiny had been suppressed. 
The Josephine was half a mile to windward, under 
easy sail ; and, in the present state of the sea, it was 
an easy matter to communicate with her, as it might 
not be a few hours later. He therefore explained the 
situation to Captain Shuffles, — who was still on deck 
with Grace and Paul, too nervous and too anxious to 
retire, — and directed him to call all hands. 

The boatswain piped the call. Peaks and the head 
steward at the main hatch, in accordance with their 
instructions, would permit none who did not wear the 
white ribbon of the Order of the Faithful to come on 
deck. Hyde and his party proposed to return to their 
duty. They had had mutiny enough, and their leader, 
speaking for the whole, asked permission to be re- 
ported to the principal. The steward bore the message 
to him, while the twelve penitents waited at the lad- 
der. The runaways remained in their rooms; but 
Raymond made an ineffectual effort to induce them to 
be firm. 

“ Come up ! ” said Peaks, when the principal ap- 
peared at the hatch, and gave the order. 

“ We wish to return to our duty, sir,” Hyde began ; 
“ we are very sorry for our disobedience, and are will- 
ing to take the consequences.” 

“How many of you are there?” asked Mr. Low- 
ington. 

“ Twelve in our party, sir.” 

“Will you conform, in every respect, to the require* 
ments of the present occasion ? ” 

“ We will, sir.” 

“ But they must join the order,” interposed Grace, 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


129 


who had accompanied Paul to the waist. “They are 
not entitled to the white ribbon, for they have come 
in at the eleventh hour.” 

Mr. Lowington smiled, and directed the penitents 
to repair to the quarter-deck. 

“ I am so glad they have yielded ! ” said Grace. 

“ So am I. You can let them take the second de- 
gree to-night,” laughed Paul. 

“ Yes ; and that shall be a blue ribbon. The next 
ones that come shall have the yellow ribbon, and be 
the first degree. That’s all the diflTerent colors I have,” 
added Grace, as she hastened to her state-room to pro- 
cure the material for the decoration of the penitents, 
who were standing before the principal, abaft the 
mizzen-mast. 

“ Are you really sorry for what you have done, or 
do you back out because your plan does not work 
well?” asked the principal of the delinquents. 

“ I am really sorry for it, sir,” answered Hyde ; 
and there is not a doubt that he spoke the simple 
truth. 

“ Have you been into the hold this evening?” 

“Yes, sir,” replied Hyde, promptly. 

“ For what purpose ? ” 

“ We only w^ent because the others did ; but we did 
not stay there long.” 

“ Have you meddled with the water tanks?” 

“No, sir.” 

“ Has any one ? ” 

“ I do not know, sir. Down in the steerage, we 
were divided into three parties, because we did not 
agree very well ; ” and Hyde explained the views 

9 


130 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


of each party, and the localities which they had occu- 
pied during their visit to the hold. 

Mr. Lowington readily comprehended the object of 
the runaways, when they induced the other two parties 
to visit the hold. In fact, he saw the whole truth just 
as it was ; that the Howe party had made the mischief 
from the beginning, and that the others were the vic- 
tims of their cunning schemes. He believed that his 
plan was working well, since it was eliminating the 
comparatively innocent from the guilty. 

“ You may return to your duty, on this condition — 
that you have no communication with either the Howe 
or the Raymond party,” added Mr. Lowington. “ You 
will not inform them in regard to anything which has 
transpired, or may transpire, on deck. Do you ac- 
cept the conditions?” 

“ I do, certainly, sir,” replied Hyde. 

Others gave the required pledge, astonished to be 
restored to their duty on such mild terms. They took 
their stations with the crew. But Grace Arbuckle 
soon appeared with the blue ribbons, and Hyde was 
conducted to her by the commodore. 

“ I confer upon you the second degree of the Order 
of the Faithful, and decorate you with the blue ribbon. 
When you have proved yourself faithful to your duty, 
and worthy of promotion, you will be advanced to the 
third degree, the emblem of which is the white rib- 
bon,” said Grace, as she pinned the decoration upon 
his breast. 

“ Thank you,” replied Flyde, rather bewildered by 
the ceremony. 

The rest of the penitents were brought up, and, in 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


131 

like manner, initiated into the Order of the Faithful 
Of course they wanted to know more about it, and the 
new organization was explained to them. 

“ I’m glad you backed out, Hyde,” said Tremere. 
“ When are the rest coming:? ” 

“ I don’t know that they are coming at all. I got 
enough of it.” 

“ What do those fellows want to do? ” 

“ Get their rights.” 

“Well, they’ll get them when they return to their 
duty, and not before, unless it is the right to be pun- 
ished for their disobedience,” added Tremere. 

“ I still think it was not fair to give up the trip to 
the Rhine, after the promise that we should go, though 
it was a great mistake of mine to refuse to do duty,” 
added Hyde. 

“ Who says the trip is given up?” 

“ All the fellows ; ” and Hyde rehearsed the argu- 
ments which had been used to sustain the proposition. 

“ As you are now a member of the Order of the 
Faithful, you may know its secrets,” laughed Tre- 
merc. “ Mr. Lowington made an explanation to 
those who did not take the law into their own 
hands ; ” and he proceeded to give the substance of 
this statement. 

Hyde was all the more disgusted with the course' 
he and his friends had adopted, and was fully resolved 
to do his duty in future, whatever his personal opinions 
might be. The mildest of the mutineers were thus 
disposed of, and a dozen pair of hands added to the 
force of the ship. 

While this conversation was in progress, the Young 


132 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


America had been headed towards the Josephine. 
Peaks had fired one of the guns on the forecastle, 
wliich was the signal, in the night, for the consort 
to heave to. Hyde’s party had been restored to tin :r 
several stations, while the volunteer officers still filled 
the places of those who did not answer the boatswain’s 
call. The Josephine promptly obeyed the signal, and 
the ship ran up to her, as near as it was prudent to 
go, backed her main-topsail, lying to on her quarter. 
The first cutter was manned and lowered, vacancies 
in her crew being filled with the stoutest hands avail- 
able. A dozen breakers, or kegs, used for boat service, 
were put on board, and with Peaks to assist in the stow- 
age, the cutter shoved oft', and pulled for the schooner. 

The officer in charge of the boat explained to Mr.’ 
Fluxion what had occurred on board of the ship, and 
the twelve breakers, with six more belonging to the 
consort, were filled and stowed in the boat, which 
returned without delay to the Young America. The 
cutter was hoisted up, and again the squadron stood 
on its course. The new supply of water was imme- 
diately secured under lock and key, in one of the 
store-rooms. The quantity was still very meagre, be- 
ing hardly enough for two days’ consumption on full 
allowance. The watch below was again dismissed. 
It included one half of the penitents, who were beset 
by Raymond’s party with questions and abuse ; but 
they were true to their pledge, and the rebels were 
none the wiser. 

The noise of the gun and of the lowering of the cut- 
ter had been heard by the runaways, and the appear- 
ance of the eighteen breakers, as they were passed 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


133 

down into the hold, was the assurance of another fail- 
ure to them. 

“We are dished,’^ said Monroe, as the forward 
officer passed down the kegs. 

“ Perhaps we are, and perhaps we are not,” replied 
Howe. “ The end hasn’t come yet.” 

“ I suppose there is room enough in the run for the 
contents of all those breakers,” added Little. 

“ Hyde and the rest of those babies have returned 
to their duty,” continued Monroe, who was always the 
first to despond. 

“ No matter for that ; we will keep on this tack till 
something happens,” persisted Howe. “ By this time 
we are pretty sure of being left behind when the fel- 
lows go to Germany ; and for my part, as Fluxion is 
going away, I think that is the best thing that can 
happen to us. We shall find a chance to strike out 
on our own hook.” 

But the arrival of the water breakers carried con- 
sternation to the runaways, whatever they said and 
did. They were tired of the battle, though, if any of 
them had a thought of repentance, they subdued it. 
Raymond’s party were angry at the defection of Hyde 

and his associates, and the future looked dark and 
^ . . 
hopeless, so far as remedial agencies were concerned, 

but their pride still prompted them to hold out. 

Wearied with anxiety and hope deferred, they turned 

in as the night advanced. 

At eight bells, all hands were called again. The 
wind was blowing half a gale, and the starboard 
watch had taken in the light sails. It was deemed 
advisable still further to shorten sail, and a reef was 


134 DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

put in the topsails. The starboard watch then turned 
in, the port having the deck till four in the morning. 
The wind came in heavy gusts from the south-west, 
and shortly after midnight it began to veer to the 
west, which brought up a dense fog. At four bells in 
the mid watch, the wind came square from the west 
in heavy squalls. The ship went about, and stood 
to the southward, the principal intending to go into 
Cherbourg if the weather would permit. 

At eight bells, when the morning watch was called, 
another reef was put in the topsails. At daylight the 
fog was too dense to think of making a port, and the 
ship tacked again. There was a heavy sea running, 
but everything went along very well. Captain Shuf- 
fles remained on deck all night, but no emergency 
occurred which required the exercise of more than 
ordinary skill and energy. The wind was blowing a 
gale, though not a very severe one. All the students 
on board had been in worse weather, and it produced 
no excitement whatever. 

At seven bells in the morning, the port watch was 
called to breakfast, according to the regular routine 
of the ship. The meal consisted of coflee, beefsteak, 
fried potatoes, and the rolls which had been baked the 
preceding afternoon. Peaks and the head steward 
were in the steerage, and when some of the runaways 
appeared, and attempted to seat themselves at the 
mess tables, they were forbidden to do so. Only 
those decorated with white or blue ribbons were al- 
lowed to breakfast. At eight bells the port watch 
went on deck, and the starboard, relieved from duty, 
came down to their morning meal, when the tables 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


135 


had been reset. A fresh supply of hot steaks and 
potatoes was brought from the kitchen, for the break- 
fast of each watch was cooked separately, and they 
fared precisely as the other watch had. The rebels 
were still excluded from the mess tables, and violent 
was the grumbling thereat. 

When the regular breakfast was finished, the tables 
were again cleared, and the mutineers began to think 
they were to be starved into subjection ; but they were 
mistaken, in part, at least, for the tables were again 
set. This time there were no hot beefsteaks, no fresh 
rolls, no fried potatoes, no coffee — nothing but cold 
corned beef and hard tack. None of the cooks or 
stewards said anything, no one made any remarks of 
any kind. There was tlie breakfast — salt junk and 
hard tack — regular sailor’s fare. The head steward 
mildly indicated that breakfast was ready for those 
who had not already been served. The two parties 
of rebels seated themselves, and turned up their noses 
at the fare. 

“ Steward, bring me a mug of cofiee,” shouted 
Howe to the nearest waiter. 

“ It takes water to make cofiee,” replied the man, 
solemnly, and as he had doubtless been instructed to 
answer. 

“What if it does? Bring me some coffee,” re- 
peated Howe, angrily. 

“No cofiee for this crowd,” interposed the head 
steward, as solemnly. 

“ But I’m going to have my coffee,” added Wilton, 
whose temper was not the sweetest in the world, as 
he rose from his stool, and rushed towards the kitchen 
door. 


136 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“Avast, my lad!” said Peaks, taking the rebel b)- 
the collar with no gentle force. “ It takes water to 
make coffee.” 

Wilton was afraid of the boatswain, for there was a 
tradition on board that he had, on one occasion, laid 
hands upon a refractory boy, and he was evidently in 
the steerage for a purpose. He skulked back to his 
place at the table. 

“ Can’t I have some coflfee?” demanded Raymond, 
of the head steward, when that official came near 
his seat. 

“ You cannot.” 

“Why not?” 

“ Because it takes water to make coffee.” 

“What of that?” 

“ Owing to circumstances, the supply of water on 
board is rather short,” answered the head steward, as 
solemnly as before. 

“ That’s nothing to do with me. I didn’t start the 
water tanks.” 

“ I obey orders, and don’t argue with any one ; but 
there’s an old saying that a man is known by the com- 
pany he keeps, and I suppose a boy is, too.” 

The steward passed on, and refused to answer any 
more questions. 

“ If we can’t have coffee, give us some water,” said 
Lindsley. 

“Water is water,” replied the steward. 

The rebels were hungry, and they ate, though very 
sparingly, of the unpalatable food which was set be- 
fore them. Like most other boys belonging to “ the 
first families,” they did not relish corned beef at any 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. I37 

tin. . ^ jicl that before them, though of excellent quali- 
ty, was very salt, having been a long time in the brine. 
They partook of the beef and the hard bread simply 
because there was nothing else with which to satisfy 
dieir hunger. Some of them wanted to make a 
row ” about the fare ; but Peaks was a very formida- 
ble obstacle in the 'way of any such demonstration. 
They ate what they could, rather than what they 
wanted, and retreated to their mess-rooms. 

“Well, what do you think now?” said Lindsley, as 
he threw himself into his berth. 

Raymond only shook his head and grated his teeth. 

“ I think we are sold, and the sooner we back down, 
the better,” added Lindsley. 

“ I won’t back down ! ” snapped Raymond, sav- 
agely. 

“ How long do you think you can eat salt horse, 
without any water to wash it down?” 

“I can stand it till I die ! ” 

“ I don’t think it is worth while to stand it quite so 
long as that.” 

“ I do ! What right has the principal to deny us 
even a drop of water?” 

“ What right have we to stand out, and refuse to do 
our dut}^? Howe’s fellows started the water tanks, 
and — ” 

“ We didn’t do it ! ” interrupted Raymond, savagely. 
“ I won’t stand it.” 

Rushing out into the steerage, he went to the water 
jar, in one corner. It was empty, though there was a 
breaker of water on deck for the use of the Faithful, 
who were thirsty. He was mad, and ready for 


* 3 ^ 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


perate steps. He hastened to the mess-room oi 
Howe, and entered just as that worthy was taking a 
draught from the bottle he had filled at the tanks the 
evening before. 

“ What’s that?” demanded he. 

“ Water,” replied Howe, good-naturedly. 

“ Give us a drink — will you ? I’m almost choked,” 
asked Raymond, glad to see that there was still an al- 
ternative. 

“ No, I thank you,” answered Howe, putting the 
stopper back into the bottle. “We don’t do the 
heavy jobs, and then provide for those who are too 
cowardly to help us.” 

“ We are in the same boat with you ; and it isn’t 
fair to let our fellows suffer while you have water.” 

“You wouldn’t go in with us. We have only a 
bottle apiece,” pleaded Howe. 

Raymond appealed to others in the room, but all of 
them were of one mind. The salt beef had created a 
tremendous thirst among those who had eaten it, and 
all who had water made large draughts upon the sup- 
ply. The bottles had contained pickles, olives, ketch- 
up, and other similar articles, so that the water was 
not very palatable. In the course of the forenoon, 
Raymond and his party stealthily attempted to obtain 
possession of these bottles, but the runaways were too 
vigilant for them ; and before dinner the thirsty ones 
were exceedingly uncomfortable, to say the least- 
They tried to conceal their condition from the Faith- 
ful as much as possible, but they were all very ner- 
vous and disquieted. 

At one o’clock, after the regular dinner of roast 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


m 


beef and rice pudding had been served to the Faithful, 
the tables were again prepared for the rebels ; but the 
bill of fare was corned beef and hard bread — not a 
drop of water. Peaks and the head steward paced 
the unsteady floor, as they had done at breakfast time. 
Raymond, whose tongue and lips were parched with 
thirst, became desperate again, and attempted to force 
his way into the kitchen. He was seized by the boat- 
swain, and the more he struggled, the more he was 
shaken up. He refused to behave himself, and Peaka 
thrust him into the brig. 


140 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


CHAPTER IX. 


THE EAST OF THE MUTINEERS. 

IIE gale continued to blow ugly and gusty during 



1 the day, until eight bells in the afternoon. The 
fog hung heavy over the ocean, and the bell was rung 
every five minutes, in accordance with the English 
Admiralty instructions. The ship had been standing 
close-hauled to the north-north-west since noon, when 
she had tacked, at the warning of the fog signal, 
made at some light station on the coast of France, in 
the vicinity of Cape de La Hague. For four hours she 
had been on her present course, and was therefore 
approaching the coast of England again. At the be- 
ginning of the first dog-watch, there were some signs 
of a change of weather. The fog appeared to be lift- 
ing, and the wind came in less violent gusts. 

In the steerage, among the rebels, the most unalloyed 
misery prevailed. The runaways had exhausted their 
supply of water under the pressure of thirst caused 
by the salt provision, though they had not yet begun 
to be very uncomfortable. Certainly they had, as yet, 
no thought of yielding, but were rather studying up 
the means of obtaining a new supply of water. Ray- 
mond’s party were only waiting for the boatswain’s 
call to ask permission to join their shipmates on deck ; 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


141 

but, most provokingly, no call came. Their leader 
bad been discharged from the brig as soon as he 
ceased to be violent ; for the principal did not wish to 
punish any one for the mutiny, preferring to let it work 
its own cure on the diet he had prescribed. 

With the exception of the rebels, every one seemed 
to be particularly jolly. The principal had explained 
his policy to them, and they were entirely satisfied. 
All the evolutions of seamanship were performed 
with remarkable precision even in the gale, demon- 
strating that the crew had not lost their prestige, 
when the will was right. In the -cabin, even, the 
rough sea did not dampen the spirits of the passen- 
gers, who had been, in a measure, accustomed to the 
rude action of the sea by their voyage in the steamer 
and in the Josephine. The Grand Protectress of the 
Order of the Faithful was full of life and spirits, and 
watched with the deepest interest the progress of the 
rebellion in the steerage. 

In Raymond’s j^arty the sufiering from thirst had 
become intolerable. Lindsley’s back had been broken 
early in the forenoon, but Raymond declared that he 
would never yield — he would die first. 

“ What’s the use?” demanded Lindsley. “We are 
whipped out, sold out, played out, and used up. ISIy 
tongue is as dry as a piece of wash-leather.” 

“ I don’t like to give it up,” replied Raymond. “ It 
looks mean to back out.” 

“Just look at it a moment. We are suffering for 
the sins of Howe’s fellows. They let off the water, 
saving a supply for themselves, and our fellows are 
really the only ones who suffer for their deed- Wc 


142 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


are sustaining them, even while they won’t give us a 
drop of water to moisten our lips. P^'or one, I never 
will get into such a scrape again. We have been 
fools, and whenever I see the runaways go one way. 
I’m going the other.” 

“ All hands, on deck, ahoy ! ” shouted the boatswain 
at the main hatch. 

“ That means me,” said Lindsley, rushing to the lad- 
der. “ Come along, Raymond. Howe and his fellows 
have been stingy and mean enough to be left alone.” 

Most of the crew were on deck when the call was 
piped. Lindsley led the way up the ladder, and Ray- 
mond followed him. The last argument of his friend 
had evidently converted the latter, for, however much 
he disliked to yield, it was not so bad as supporting 
the cause of such fellows as Howe, who would not 
even give him a drink of water. And the idea of en- 
during positive suffering for the evil deed of the run- 
aways was not pleasant. They had let the water out 
of the tanks, but Raymond and his friends were the 
only ones who had thus far suffered in consequence of 
the act. It was these reflections which absolutely 
drove him upon deck, rather than any disposition to 
undo the wrong he had done. 

A lift of the fog had revealed the Bill of Portland, 
a narrow neck of land projecting outside the channel 
from the English coast. The wind was hauling to 
the northward, and the prospect of fair weather was 
very good. The order was given to turn out one of 
the reefs in the topsails. The appearance of the 
Raymond party was noticed by Mr. Lowington, and 
even the passengers observed those who wore neither 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 43 

the white nor the blue ribbon. As soon as the rebels 
reached the deck, they discovered the water breaker 
in the waist. They charged upon it with a fury which 
required the interference of an officer ; but half a 
pint was served out to each of them before they were 
sent aloft. 

The reefs were turned out, and the ship came about 
on the other tack. Nothing had been seen of the Jo- 
sephine since the fog settled down upon the squadron 
the night before ; but the principal had no fears in 
regard to her safety. Fog-horns, guns, and bells 
warn the voyager of his approach to any of the perils 
of the shore ; and the experienced navigator can inter- 
pret these signals so as to avoid all danger. 

“ South-west by west, half west,” said Paul Kendall, 
who was the acting sailing-master on duty, giving out 
the course to the quarter-master in charge of the wheel. 

“ South-west by west, half west,” repeated the latter. 

“ Where will that take us ? ” asked Grace Arbuckle, 
who watched everything that was said and done with 
deep interest. 

“ That course will take the ship to a point off Ush' 
ant, which is an island near the coast of France, nof 
far from Brest,” replied Paul, who took especial pleas- 
ure in explaining to her the working of the vessel. 

“ How far is it from here?” 

“ From the Bill of Portland, which is the land you 
see astern of us, the distance to Ushant is one hundred 
and fifty-seven miles.” 

“ How long will it take us to go there?” 

“ That will depend entirely upon the wind,” laughed 
Paul. “ We are logging ten knots just now, which 


144 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


would bring us oft'Ushant about ten o’clock to-morrow 
forenoon. But the wind is going down, and we may 
not get there till to-morrow night.” 

“ Well, I’m in no hurry ; and I rather hope it will 
not blow very hard,” added Grace. 

“ That’s just my wish. If the water only holds out, 
I don’t care.” 

“ But there is something more for the Grand Pro- 
tectress to do,” said Grace. 

“A dozen more who are to take the first degree ; but 
I do not know whether they will be willing to be ini- 
tiated.” 

“ Why not? ” 

“ Raymond, who is generally a good fellow, has 
been very ugly. Perhaps he feels better now he has 
quenched his thirst.” 

“ May I speak to him?” 

“ Certainly, if you wish to do so.” 

Paul conducted the Grand Protectress to the waist, 
where the head steward was giving the Raymond par- 
ty another half pint of water apiece. They were 
very thirsty, and, as boys understand the word, they 
had doubtless sufiered a great deal for the want of 
water. As they had returned to their duty, and yield- 
ed the point, Mr. Lowington had directed that they 
should be frequently supplied, until they were satisfied. 
The general opinion was, that they had already been 
severely punished, not only by the thirst they had 
endured, augmented as it was by their diet of salt 
beef and hard bread, but in the mortification they had 
experienced at the failure of their scheme. The latter 
punishment was quite as severe as the former. 




YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 45 

“ Miss Arbuckle wishes to speak to you, Ray- 
mond,” said Paul, addressing the discomfited leader 
of the mild party. 

“ What for? ” demanded he. 

“ She will explain for herself.” 

“ Does she want to preach to me?” 

“ I think not. Of course you are not compelled to 
see her, if you don’t wish to do so,” added Paul, who 
could not see why any one should not wish to con- 
verse with Grace. 

“ I will hear what she has to say,” said Raymond, ' 
with a condescension which Paul did not like. 

The commodore presented the delinquent to the 
young lady. Raymond touched his cap, and bowed 
politely. 

“ I am very glad to see you on deck, Mr. Ray- 
mond, for I have wished to make your acquaintance 
since last evening,” Grace began. 

“ Thank you. I was not aware that I had any 
claims upon your consideration.” 

“ I see you wear no ribbon. Shall I furnish you 
with one?” 

“ I don’t know what it is for? ” said Raymond, glan- 
cing at the white ribbon on the commodore’s breast. 
“What does it mean?” 

“ I can’t tell you anything about it just yet. I sup- 
pose you are very sorry for what you have done.” 

“ I feel better since I have had a drink of water,” re- 
plied Raymond, good-naturedly ; and there was no 
doubt that he spoke the literal truth. 

“ I regret that it was necessary to deprive you of 
water.” 

10 


146 DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

“ It was not my fault. I had nothing to do with 
emptying the water tanks,” pleaded the culprit. “ It 
was the runaways who did that.” 

“ Then you were in bad company.” 

“ I think so myself,” answered Raymond, candidly, 
for he was still under the influence of the clinching 
argument which had induced him to come on deck. 

At this point the conversation was interrupted by 
the call of the principal, who summoned the Ray^ 
mond party into his presence on the quarter-deck. 

“Are you satisfied?” asked Mr. Lowington, with a 
pleasant smile on his face, when the rebels had assem- 
bled before him. 

“ No, sir,” replied Raymond, promptly, and before 
any other of the party could give a different answer. 

“Why did you come on deck, then?” 

“We couldn’t stand it any longer without water.” 

“ Is that the reason why you came on deck? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ Then you may return to your former diet till you 
are satisfied,” added the principal, pleasantly. 

“We don’t wish to do that, sir.” 

“ Didn’t I understand you to say that you were not 
satisfied.” 

“ I am not, sir,” continued Raymond, stoutly. “ I 
don’t think it was fair to — ” 

“ Stop ! ” interposed the principal, rather sharplv. 
“ I do not purpose to listen to your grievances. You 
have undertaken to redress them 3^ourselves, and I see 
no reason why you should not persevere till you are 
satisfied.” 

“ We can’t live on salt junk and hard bread without 
any water, sir.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


H7 

“ Can’t you, indeed You should have thought of 
that before you joined hands with those who started 
the water out of the tanks.” 

“ We did not even know that they meant to start the 
water, or, afterwards, that they had done it, till the 
cook said so. We are not responsible for what they 
did.” 

“ Perhaps not ; yet you were in the hold, in full fel- 
lowship with them. But I do not intend to argue the 
matter with you.” 

“ We are ready to return to our duty, sir, whether 
we are satisfied or not,” added Raymond. 

“ O, you are? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ Well, as long as you are willing to do your duty, 
I suppose it does not matter whether you are satisfied 
or not.” 

Raymond made no reply, and could not help 
wondering that he had been so simple as to believe 
the principal would ask an explanation of muti- 
neers. 

“Are you willing to obey all orders?” continued 
Mr. Lowington. 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ And the others? ” 

“ Yes, sir,” replied Raymond’s followers. 

“ Will you refrain from all communication with 
those in the steerage who still refuse to do duty?” 

“ I will,” answered Raymond, who had before 
made up his mind to do this. 

“ Especially you will not inform them of anything 
which takes place on deck, or give them the benefit of 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


148 

any explanation you may hear,” said the principal. 
“ Those who assent to these terms will walk over to 
windward.” 

The party, who could not help wondering at this 
singular treatment of what they regarded as a very 
difficult matter, walked squarely up to the weather- 
rail of the ship, and halted there. The remarks of the 
principal, and the pledge he exacted, seemed to ex- 
plain the strange conduct of the white and the blue 
ribbon bands in the steerage. No one had been able 
to ascertain definitely what those badges meant. 

“ Very well. I am satisfied, if you are not,” said 
Mr. Lowington, mildly. “ You deserve punishment, 
but it shall depend upon your future conduct whether 
you receive it or not. You will go forward.” 

When the party reached the w'aist, they were con- 
fronted by Grace and Paul. 

“You have promised to be fhithful — have you not?” 
asked she. 

“ Yes ; but Fm not satisfied,” replied the leader. 

“ Then I confer upon you the first degree of the 
Order of the Faithful,” added Grace. “ Its emblem 
is a yellow ribbon ; ” and she pinned'^the decoration 
upon Raymond’s breast. 

“ What does it mean? ” he asked. 

She explained its meaning, and then initiated his 
companions. 

“ How happens it that we have yellow ribbon while 
others have white or blue ones? ” asked Lindsle}^ 

“ Because you have taken only the first degree, be- 
ing the last ones to come. If you do well, and are 
faithful, you shall be raised to the second, and then to 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 49 

the third degree,” replied Grace, with a vivacit}* which 
was not at all impaired by the laughter of the initiates, 
w'ho, as others before them had, regarded the order as 
a pleasant joke. 

“ When you have proved yourselves worthy, you 
will be advanced to the second degree by the Grand 
Protectress,” added Paul. “ The motto of the concern 
is, ‘ Vous ne pouvez pas faire un sifflet de la queue 
d'un cochon and I think you have fully proved the 
truth of the saying. The meaning of the sentence 
is one of the secrets of the order. Do you promise 
not to reveal it?” 

“ I do, for one,” laughed Lindsley. “ I haven’t the 
least idea myself what it means.” 

“ Nor I,” added all the others.” 

“ Then you will all be discreet. The motto con- 
tains a very valuable moral lesson, which bears on 
your case, and I hope you will take it to heart,” said 
Paul. 

“ I should like to take it to head first,” replied 
Lindsley. 

“ I hope you are satisfied now, Mr. Raymond,” 
continued Grace. 

“ Not at all. I am willing to do my duty, rather 
than be starved on salt junk, and choked to death for 
the want of water ; but I am not satisfied.” 

“ Not satisfied ! ” exclaimed Grace. “ Not after you 
have been initiated into the noble and magnanimous 
Circle of the Order of the Faithful ! ” 

“ Not much ! ” 

“You should say, ‘ -y/W,’ when you want to 

use that expression,” laughed Grace, who did not like 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


^ 5 ^ 

American slang, and had already partially cured Paul, 
who had a slight tendency in that direction. 

“ Well, nicht viel^ then. It was not fair, when we 
had been promised a trip into Germany, to send us 
off to sea, just to please Shuffles.” 

“Captain Shuffles is a good young man. If you say 
anything against him, you shall be expelled from the 
Order of the Faithful ! ” 

“ Well, I won’t say anything against him, then, 
Miss Arbuckle ; but they say the ship is bound for 
Belfast.” 

“ Do you see that land, Mr. .Raymond ? ” she added, 
pointing to the light on the headland. 

“I do.” 

“ What land is it? ” 

“ I don’t know.” 

“ It is the Bill of Portland. Now, which way is the 
ship headed?” 

“ About south-west,” replied Raymond, after look- 
ing through the skylight at the tell-tale in the steerage. 

“ South-west by west, half west,” she added. 

“ Bully for you ! ” 

“ Instead of that, you should say, '‘Bulle fur ihnen' 
fn other words, 3^011 should utter all your slang in Ger- 
man : it sounds better.” 

“ I only meant to say that you reeled off the course 
like a regular old salt,” laughed Raymond. 

“ If the ship were bound to Belfast, its course would 
be nearer west. We are not going to Belfast. We 
are going to Brest. Mr. Lowington said the ship’s 
company needed a little exercise to perfect the disci- 
pline, and to save the trouble and expense of going 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 151 

into the dock at Havre, the vessels will be left in the 
harbor of Brest. He never had a thought of giving 
up the trip down the Rhine.” 

“ Is that so? ” asked the leader of the mild rebels. 

Paul repeated the explanation to the penitents which 
the principal had given the day before. 

“ We understood that we were going to sea just to 
please Shuffles,” said Lindsley. 

“ The captain certainly wanted better discipline, 
and he did propose a day or two at sea for its im- 
provement,” added Paul. 

“ I don’t care for two or three days at sea, if we are 
to go to the Rhine,” continued Raymond. “ I’m satis- 
fied now.” 

The conversation was continued till the starboard 
watch was piped to supper. Raymond was fully 
satisfied now that he had made a fool of himself, and, 
what was even worse, that he and his companions had 
been the dupes of the runaw'ays. Those who be- 
longed in the starboard watch were permitted to go to 
the table, and they did ample justice to the cold roast 
beef, butter toast, and tea which covered the mess 
tables. Peaks and the head steward paced the steerage, 
as before, and no one without a ribbon was allowed 
to partake. At six o’clock, after the port watch had 
been relieved, the second supper was served, and the 
rest of the hungry and thirsty delinquents enjoyed 
the change in their bill of fare. 

Then the runaways sat down to their supper of salt 
beef and hard bread, without tea or water. The food 
did not suit them, and they turned up their noses at it. 
The thirst created by their salt breakfast in the morning 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


had required large draughts upon their water bottles, 
and before dinner they had exhausted the supply. They 
were very thirsty, though none of them were actually 
suffering. The fact that they could not get any water 
made them want it all the more. They ate none of the 
salt meat, which by this time was loathsome to them. 
Ship bread was dry feed, and they could eat very lit- 
tle of it. Doubtless it was a hard case for them, the 
sons of rich men ; but they had only to obey the boat- 
swain’s pipe, and “ eat, drink, and be filled.” 

“ I can’t stand this,” said Monroe, when a group of 
them had gathered in their mess-room after the un- 
palatable supper. 

“ Can’t you ? What’s the reason you can’t ? ” growled 
Howe. 

“ I’m almost choked.” 

“ So am I,” added several others. 

“ Are you going to back out? ” demanded the 
leader. 

“ Rather than perish with thirst, I am,” answered 
Herman. 

“ What’s the use? All the rest of the fellows have 
deserted us,” added Ibbotson. “ Even Raymond is 
sporting a yellow ribbon, and is as jolly as a lord 
now.” 

“ We can’t make anything by it,” said Monroe. “ I 
move you we back out, and get a drink of water. All 
hands will be called at eight bells, I think, to put on 
more sail.” 

“ No, no ! Don’t back out,” interposed Howe. 
“ We haven’t made ourselves felt yet.” 

“ That’s so,” groaned Herman. “ No one takes 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 53 

any notice of us. Even those fellows that went up 
last won’t speak to us, not even to answer a civil 
question. The principal evidently regards us with 
perfect contempt. I go in for doing something, or 
backing out. As it is, we are making a milk-and- 
water affair of it. We are starved and choked. That’s 
all we have to show for what we have done.” 

“ Why don’t you preach, and say, ‘ The way of the 
transgressor is hard,’ or something of that sort, which 
is original,” snarled Howe. 

“ I should judge from your talk that you did not 
feel very good,” added Herman. 

“ I don’t ; I’m as dry as any of you, but I have no 
idea of backing out.” 

“ What are you going to do ? What’s to be the end 
of this?” demanded Ibbotson. “ I’ve got enough 
of it.” 

“ That seems to be the general opinion,” continued 
Herman. 

“ Where’s Little ? ” demanded Howe, who could 
not help realizing that the fortunes of the last of the 
mutineers were becoming desperate, and that it was 
not an easy thing to contend against such enemies as 
hunger and thirst. “ I shall not give it up so. Let 
us do something. Let us make ourselves felt, even if 
we are hanged for it.” 

“What can we do?” inquired Herman, earnestly. 
“ We are caged here like a lot of donkeys, and I have 
had enough of it.” 

“ Will you hold on for a couple of hours longer, 
fellows?” persisted Howe. 

“ I will hold on till the boatswain calls all hands, 


‘54 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


and not an instant longer,” replied Herman. “ My 
tongue feels as though it were cracking with thirst.” 

Howe rushed out of the room to find Little, who 
was the man of expedients for the runaways. He 
found him in an adjoining room, and stated the case 
to him. The little villain was as uncomfortable and 
unhappy as the rest of the mutineers, and, to the sur- 
prise of How'e, counselled yielding rather than suffer- 
ing any longer. 

“ I didn’t think that of you. Little,” sneered Howe. 

“Didn’t you? Well, it’s only a question as to who 
can stand it the longest on a diet of salt horse without 
water,” replied Little. “ I can hold out as long as 
any fellow ; but we shall not make anything by it. If 
we could, I would stick.” 

“ Let us do something, at least, to make a sensation 
before we give in. I don’t like the idea of being con- 
quered just in this way.” 

“What can we do?” 

“ Let us set the ship afire, or bore holes in the bot- 
tom,” whispered Howe. 

“ Of course, you don’t mean anything of that sort,” 
added Little, with a grim smile. 

“ I would rather do it than be whipped out in this 
manner. I never felt so cheap and mean in my life,” 
continued Howe, kicking the front of the berth, and 
pounding with his fist to indicate the intensity of his 
wrath. 

“ Nor I either ; but what are you going: to do 
about it.” 

“ Well, you furnish gumption for the crowd, and I 
came to ask you what to do. Our fellows’ backs are 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 155 

broken, and they will go on deck when the boatswain’s 
pipe sounds again.” 

“ I shall go with them,” replied Little, quietly. 

“ Can’t we get into the hold, and find some water?” 

“ No ; Bitts put a lock on that scuttle this morning, 
and the forward officers are watching all the time. 
You can set the ship afire if you like. I don’t think 
of anything else you can do to make yourself felt.” 

“ I’ll do it ! ” exclaimed Howe. 

“ No, you won’t,” added Little, mildly. 

“ What’s the reason I won’t?” 

“ You dare not.” 

“ You see ! ” said the discomfited leader, bolting out 
of the room. 

Some men, and some boys, are the most easily over- 
whelmed by letting them severely alone. If Howe could 
have made a sensation, he would have been better satis- 
sfied, even if he had been committed to the brig. He 
was vain and proud, and it hurt him more to be ignored 
than to be beaten. It was questionable whether he was 
desperate enough to put his savage threat into execu- 
tion ; but he collected a pile of books and papers in 
his mess-room, and declared his intention to Herman, 
Monroe, and others, who were his messmates. No 
student was allowed to have matches, and he lacked 
the torch to fire the incendiary pile. 

“ Don’t be an idiot, Howe ! ” said Herman, dis- 
gusted with the conduct of his leader. 

“ I’m going to do something,” persisted he. 

“ You are not going to do that.” 

“Yes, I am! As soon as the steward leaves the 
steerage, I shall borrow one of the lanterns, and there 
will be a blaze down here.” 


t56 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ No, there won’t ! ” 

“What’s the reason there won’t?” 

“ The fellows won’t let you do any such thing. A 
fellow is a fool to burn his own ship at sea.” 

“ Of course it won’t burn up ; but it will bring 
Lowington down here, and he will find out we are 
somebody.” 

“ Nonsense ! ” 

“ But I mean it.” 

“ No, you don’t ! It is all buncombe.” 

“You wait and see if it is. If I can only bring 
Lowington down here, and see him scared out of his 
wits, I shall be satisfied. I shall be willing to go into 
the brig, then, and stay there for the rest of the cruise.” 

“ You are a fool, Howe.” 

“ I’m desperate.” 

“You shall not kindle any fire here. If 3^011 say 
you mean to do it, I will call Peaks at once.” 

“ I said it, and I’ll do it,” said Howe, leaving the 
room. 

His messmates followed him. The steward had left 
the steerage, and Howe, in order to take down the 
lantern, leaped upon a stool. Herman kicked it from 
beneath him, and he fell upon the floor. 

“What do you mean by that?” demanded Howe, 
with clinched fists. 

“ Don’t you touch that lantern — that’s all !” 

“Yes, I will and he tried to mount the stool 
again. 

Herman, Ibbotson, and Monroe seized him, and 
dragged him back into the room. The noise attracted 
the attention of the rest of the mutineers, and some 
others, who were below. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 57 

“ Go, and call Peaks, Monroe,” said Herman. “ I 
will hold him till you come back.” 

“ Don’t do that,” interposed the desperate leader, 
becoming suddenly calm, and apparently reasonable. 

You are all cowards. Let me alone. I might as 
well yield, with such milk-and-water fellows around 
me. Don’t say anything to Peaks.” 

“ You are a bigger fool than I thought you were,” 
added Herman, taking no pains to conceal his disgust 
at the conduct of his leader. 

“ All hands, on deck, ahoy ! ” piped the boatswain. 

All hands, Howe included, answered the call. The 
mutiny was ended. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


^58 


CHAPTER X. 

WHAT THE RUNAWAYS WERE GOING TO DO. 

I T was an astonishingly stupid mutiny, not relieved, 
even a shade, by the sensational conduct of Howe, 
the leader, in its last moments, that terminated 
twenty-four hours after its commencement, on board 
of the Young America. However, it was hardly 
more stupid than any other wilful evil-doing. Cap- 
tain Shuffles, like the potentates of the old world, 
wishing to have his accession to power signalized by 
an act of clemency, had pleaded earnestl}" that the 
runaways might be forgiven, and permitted to visit 
Germany with the rest of the ship’s company. Mr. 
Lowington had endeavored to reconcile the granting 
of the request with his views of discipline. It is not 
necessary to ask with what success he considered tlie 
matter, for the delinquents had now effectually put it 
out of his power to grant them any favor. 

The fog had lifted, and from tlie north-west came 
up the clearing of the blue sky, as the sun Went down. 
The wind had moderated, though the sea still rolled 
uneasily in the channel. The principal had directed 
the head steward to estimate the supply of water on 
board, and on his report had decided that the ship 
should proceed directly to Brest. She had been 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


under easy sail, but as soon as the course was given to 
the captain, lie called all hands. For the first time 
since the departure from Havre, all hands answered 
the call. Though it was quite dark, the presence of 
the runaways was promptly recognized. The volun- 
teer officers, who were serving as seamen, were direct- 
ed to take their regular stations in working ship. 

The water breaker in the waist was in demand, as 
soon as the last of the mutineers came on deck ; and 
without a word in regard to the past, the steward 
Served them out a pint of water apiece. Their prompt 
■attention to the water ration caused a smile among the 
■^aithful, and the officers considerately deferred further 
orders until their pressing want was supplied. 

“ Shall we admit them to the Order of the Faith- 
ful?” said Grace to the commodore, when it was an- 
lounced that the bottom had dropped out of the 
mutiny. 

“ I think not,” replied Paul. “ They have been the 
cause of all the trouble on board, and Mr. Lowington 
does not wish that anything should be said to them. 
They are the ones who emptied the water tanks.” 

“ Really, I don’t think they deserve to be admitted 
to the Order of the Faithful — at least, not till they 
have proved their fidelity to duty.” 

“ Raymond, and those who came on deck before, 
are generally very good fellows ; and we all believe 
now that they were led away by the runaways,” added 
Paul. “ We shall soon see whether all hands intend 
to do their duty.” 

When the thirsty ones had been supplied with water, 
the order to set the courses was given, and the runa- 


l6o DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

ways severally took their stations, and performed their 
duty without making any confusion. The top-gallant- 
sails and royals were then shaken out. The discipline 
now seemed to be perfect, and the principal’s method 
of dealing with the mutiny was fully justified, though 
he took pains to explain to some of the professors that 
he did not consider this treatment practicable in all 
cases. The conduct of the rebels, and the facts devel- 
oped, indicated that they wished to be noticed ; that 
they believed the ship could not sail without their per- 
mission and assistance. This blunder was fatal to 
all their calculations, and they were unable to “ make 
themselves felt.” 

But the runaways were no better satisfied than 
Raymond had been ; and though they performed their 
duty in setting sail with entire precision, they were 
sour and morose. The sting of an overwhelming de- 
feat thorned them. They were mortified, humiliated, 
and crest-fallen. They were enraged at the conduct 
of their rebellious companions of the milder stripe, 
who had deserted them, and they were reaping the 
general consequences of evil-doing. They did their 
work, but when it was done they avoided their ship- 
mates, and even avoided each other. Howe had 
ruined himself as a leader by his silly conduct, and 
there was not likely to be any further concerted ac- 
tion among them. 

Mr. Lowington had faithfully followed out his plan, 
and had directed Mr. Fluxion to adopt the same treat- 
ment for those who refused to do duty in the Josephine 
— to keep them in the steerage, and feed them on sail- 
ors’ fare. The result of the treatment in the consort 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


l6l 

was yet to be learned, for she had not been seen since 
the supply of water had been procured from her. 

At midnight the wind blew fresh from the north- 
west, and with all sails set, the ship logged twelve 
knots. The three lights on the Casquets, at the west- 
ern extremity of the Channel Islands were in sight, 
and the prospect of seeing Ushant early in the fore- 
noon was good. As all hands were now on duty, the 
system of quarter watches was restored, so that each 
part could have six hours of uninterrupted sleep. 
There was nothing for the watch on deck to do, ex- 
cept to steer, and keep a lookout ; and there was a 
great deal of discussion about mutiny in general, and 
the Young America mutiny in particular. It was 
generally conceded even by the rebels, that it “ did 
not pay.” 

After the runaways had in some measure recovered 
from the first blush of defeat, some of them wanted to 
know about the ribbons ; but the members of the Order 
of the Faithful did not consider themselves authorized 
to impart the secrets of the organization, and declined 
to explain them. Doubtless they enjoyed the mystery, 
and desired to keep it up for their own amusement. 
Howe, when he found a tongue, reproached his com- 
panions in mischief for their cowardice, and boasted 
of what great things wonld have been accomplished 
if they had supported him to the end ; but his most 
intimate associates were disgusted with him, and 
avoided him as much as possible. 

At seven bells in the morning, a breakfast of coffee, 
mutton chops, potatoes, and hot biscuit put most of 
the runaways in the port watch in better humor than 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


162 

before, and another did a similar service for those in 
the starboard watch’ half an hour later. They ate and 
drank all they could, rather than all they needed, and 
probably shuddered when they thought of the conse- 
quences of evil-doing, as embodied in salt beef and 
hard bread, without a drop of water. 

At one bell in the forenoon watch, the lookout in 
the foretop shouted, “ Land, ho, on the lee bow.” An 
hour after, the bold rugged shores of Ushant were 
plainly in sight, and Dr. Winstock informed Paul and 
Grace that they were in the very waters where the 
English fleet, under Admiral Sir Edward Hawkes, 
had won the great naval victory over the French in 

1759- 

“ Sail, ho ! shouted the lookout. 

“Where away?” called the officer forward. 

“ On the weather bow. It’s a topsail schooner, and 
looks like the Josephine.” 

Glasses were in demand, and the officers soon satis- 
fied themselves that the sail ahead was the consort. 
It was evident that, hugging the wind closely, she had 
gone farther from the coast than the Young America. 
She took a pilot off Ushant, and continued on her 
course, though Mr. Lowington was anxious to com- 
municate with her, and learn the result of the mutiny 
which had also prevailed on board. Off the island, 
the ship was boarded by a pilot, and following the 
Josephine, passed through the Goulet de Brest, which 
is the only entrance to the harbor. This passage is 
not more than a mile wide, and is defended on each 
side by strong forts. The harbor is a land-locked bay, 
deep enough for vessels of the largest class, and with 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


163 


space enough to accommodate, at least, five hundred 
of them. Brest is the most important naval station of 
France, and its fortress and docks were full of interest 
to the young tourists. The city, which contains a 
population of eighty thousand, is built on the summit 
and slopes of a hill, some of the streets upon whose 
sides are so steep as to be impassable for vehicles. 

The Josephine had already come to anchor, and the 
ship followed her example, taking position as near to 
her as it was safe to lie. As usual, when the vessels 
came into port, there was a great excitement on board, 
for new sights and sounds are peculiarly agreeable 
after the voyager comes from the monotony of the 
swelling ocean ; and the students made the most of 
them. In coming into port, all hands had been on 
duty ; and after the sails had all been furled. Captain 
Shuffles declared that he was perfectly satisfied with 
the discipline of his crew. The runaways, who were 
generally good seamen, whatever else they were, did 
not deem it prudent to “ pipe to mischief” again, or to 
attempt to create any confusion. All eyes were fixed 
on them if anything went amiss, and if they were dis- 
posed to do wrong, they made a merit of necessity. 
But Brest was an old story to them, and brought up 
unpleasant memories. They knew the harbor, and 
were familiar with the sights, having served on board 
of the Josephine in this port for three weeks after the 
runaway cruise. Indeed, their knowledge of the har- 
bor brought them into favor with others, who asked 
them many questions about the objects to be seen. 

After everything was made snug on board of the 
ship, the yards squared, and every rope hauled taut in 


f54 


DOWN THE RHINE, Oft 


man-of-war style, the first cutter was lowered, and the 
principal visited the Josephine. As he went over the 
side, he saw Adler, Phillips, and others of the run- 
aways, who belonged to the consort, on deck, and he 
concluded that his plan had worked as well in her as 
in the ship. 

“ Well, Mr. Fluxion,” said he, as he grasped the 
hand of his able assistant, “ I see the Josephine has 
not yet been taken away from you.” 

“ No, sir. We had but a dozen mutineers on 
board,” replied the vice-principal, “ and they are 
about the sickest dogs you ever saw. I kept them 
in the steerage, and fed them on salt beef and hard 
bread, as you suggested to me.” 

“ Did you give them any water?” 

“ Not a drop. After I learned that your ruffians had 
stove the water tanks, I concluded they were all in 
the same boat, and that my fellows were as responsi- 
ble for the deed as yours. I suppose it was all a con- 
trived plan before we left Havre.” 

“ I don’t know whether it was or not. I should 
have treated it in a different manner if the young ras- 
cals had not dragged in a large number of the students 
wlio seldom give us any trouble.” 

“ The plan worked well, though I did not very 
strongly approve of it at first. Last night, the rebels 
sent for me, and begged, with tears in their eyes, to 
be permitted to return to their duty, promising to be 
faithful as long as they remained on board. I gave 
them a pretty severe lecture, but they declared they 
had nothing to do witli staving the water tanks in tlie 
ship, and did not know anything about it. I’m not 
apt to believe what those fellows say.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


165 

“ It matters little whether they knew it or not ; they 
certainly agreed together to refuse to do duty. Well, 
they have come to their senses now, and both vessels 
seem to be in good order. Of course, after what has 
happened, it is not proper to take these mischief-mak- 
ers with us into Germany,” added Mr. Lowington. 

“ Certainly not,” replied Mr. Fluxion, promptly. 

“ Then, as you are going to Italy, what shall be 
done with them while we are absent?” asked the prin- 
cipal, anxiously. 

“ My sister, who intends to spend the winter in 
Italy with her husband, desires to see me on a matter 
of business connected with her private property. As 
she is an invalid, I think she wishes to consult me in 
regard to the disposition of her estate, so that her chil- 
dren may enjoy it after her decease ; for, as I have told 
you before, her husband is not a reliable man. If it 
were a matter of any less consequence, I would not 
til ink of leaving.” 

“Undoubtedly it is your duty to go, and you must 
do so. But I do not like the idea of leaving thirty 
such students as Howe, Little, and Phillips in the sole 
charge of Dr. Carboy. He is a good man ; but lie 
has not quite tact and energy enough for such a respon- 
sibility.” 

“ Suppose I take them with me,” suggested Mr. 
Fluxion, with a smile. 

“ That is hardly practicable.” 

“ I mean in the Josephine,” added the vice-prin- 
cipal. 

“ It’s a long voyage round through the Strait of Gilv 
raltar.” 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


1 66 

“ I am in no hurry to reach Italy. How long shall 
you be absent in Germany? ” 

“ About three weeks.” 

“ Sa}^ twenty-one clays,” said Mr. Fluxion, musing. 
“ The Josephine is a fast vessel. Under the most 
favorable circumstances, she would make the run in 
eight days. A fair passage would be twelve days. If 
I remain one day in Genoa, where my sister lives, the 
cruise would last twenty-five days.” 

“ A few days’ time, or a week, is of no conse- 
quence,” added Mr. Lowington. 

“ But suppose you take the ship to Lisbon, on your 
return, and I will meet you there, say about the twenty- 
seventh or eighth of the month.” 

“ I rather like the plan ; but isn’t it a little hard on 
the boys?” 

“ Not at all. It’s giving them plenty of sea-service ; 
but that is what they need for their complaint. We 
shall feed them well on fresh provisions, and it is a 
pleasant trip up the Mediterranean at this season of 
the year. But I only mention the idea to solve the 
difficulty you suggest.” 

“ I will consider the matter, and give you an an- 
swer before night,” added Mr. Lowington, thought- 
fully. 

“ If the plan is adopted, I should like to have Peaks 
and Bitts with me, to act as watch officers with Cleats 
and Gage.” 

“ You shall have them,” replied Mr. Lowington, as 
he directed the officer of the boat to call his crew, 
who had been permitted to come on board. 

In the first cutter’s crew were three of the runaways, 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY 


167 


who had taken the opportunity to communicate with 
Adler, Phillips, and other of the runaways in the con- 
sort. After each party had related to the other its 
experience in rebellion, and commented on its unsatis- 
factory results, they touched upon the old topic — how 
to get to Paris, where remittances from their friends 
were waiting for most of them. 

“ Old Carboy is to have charge of us while the 
crowd are gone,” said Sheffield, irreverently. “We 
can easily come it over him.” 

“ If we can only get on shore, we are all right,” 
added Phillips. 

“ Only we have no money to pay our fare to Paris,” 
interposed Adler. 

“ I can raise some,” suggested Sheffield. “ My father 
sent me a letter of credit on a Paris banker ; but any 
banker will let me have some money on it, if I draw 
on Paris in his favor.” 

“ That’s the idea ! ” exclaimed Adler. “ I have a 
letter also.” 

“ But we are not to go together this time,” added 
Little. 

“Any way, if we are only to go,” said Phillips, as 
the coxswain of tlie first cutter called away his crew, 
and ended the conversation. 

It was renewed as soon as the ship was reached 
and the boat hauled up. The runaways had aban- 
doned all thought of joining the excursion to the 
Rhine; and “how to get away” was an exciting 
topic to them. In the tops, out on the bowsprit, and 
in other secluded places, small knots of them gathered 
to discuss the subject. Promises made to do better 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


1 68 

were forgotten, and the bitter experience of the past 
was wholly ignored. If they could get away from the 
ship or the consort, — in whichever one they were to 
be confined, — tliey would make amends for all their 
sufierings and all their humiliations. Herman and 
Little were especially earnest, though they still avoided 
their late leader, Howe. Perth was regarded as lost 
to them, for he wore a white ribbon on his breast, and 
had done his duty as an officer. 

“ We will all be pious for a day or two, till Carboy 
closes his eyes,” said Little. “You, and Ibbotson, and 
I will look out for ourselves, and the rest of the fel- 
lows must do the same. I have an idea.” 

“ Have you? What is it? ” demanded Herman. 

“ We shall all be sent on board the Josephine as 
soon as the lambs get ready to start for Germany.” 

“ Yes, I suppose so,” added Herman, eagerly. 

“ Then it will be an easy matter. But I don’t want 
to talk about it yet. Too many cooks spoil the soup,” 
continued Little, with his air of mysterious assurance. 

“ Tell us what it is. We won’t mention it.” 

“ I’ve got it all arranged ; and if the rest of our fel- 
lows are smart, they can take advantage of it. We 
all know this harbor pretty well,” added the little 
villain. 

“'Why don’t you tell us what the idea is?” 

Little rose from his seat in the main-top, and looked 
over to see that no inquisitive person was concealed 
on the cat-harpings. 

“ You are not to mention it to any one, you under- 
stand, or hint at it. We three, I repeat, are to look 
out for ourselves only. Ibbotson is to find the money 
to get to Paris, and I furnish the brains.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


169 

“ What am I to find?” 

“ Find yoiir way to Paris, if you can. You are a 
good fellow, Herman, and I will take you in because 
you are some punkins.” 

“ But you have’nt told us the plan,” said Ibbotson, 
not particularly pleased with the self-sufficiency of his 
little companion. 

“ I will tell you,” whispered Little, throwing an 
arm around the neck of each of his friends, and draw- 
ing their heads together near his mouth. “ At night, 
wdien everything is quiet, one of us will just unbit the 
cable, and let it run out. Then another shall sing out 
that the vessel is going adrift. That will make a row. 
Then we will try to do something. You, Herman, 
and I, will offer to carry a line to another vessel — the 
ship, for instance. Carboy — who don’t know any 
more about a vessel than a kitten does of the ten com- 
mandments — will tell you to do it. Then we three 
will jump into a boat, and carry off the line. We can 
carry it to the ship, or not, just as we think best; but 
you may bet your life we don’t return to the Jose- 
phine ! How does that strike you?” 

“ Yes ; but where are Cleats and Gage all this time? 
They know all about a vessel, if Carboy don’t,” sug- 
gested Herman. 

“ Wherever you please,” replied Little, confidently. 

“ Suppose they happen to be on deck, and are dis- 
posed to take the boat and carry out the line them- 
selves ? ” 

“ So much the better ! Thanks to the prudence 
and. good management of the principal, there are four 
boats belonging to tlie Josephine,” answered the little 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


170 

villain, who appeared to have provided for ever^i 
emergency which could possibly occur. “ The mo- 
ment the boatswain and carpenter are clear of the 
vessel, we will suggest that another line ought to be 
carried to some other vessel ; and Mr. Carboy will 
see the necessity of the measure.” 

“ Perhaps he won’t see it,” interposed Ibbotson. 

“ Then I’ll fall overboard.” 

“ Fall overboard ? ” 

“ Precisely so,” replied Little. 

“ I don’t see what that has to do with it,” said Her. 
man. 

“ Don’t you? Well, I hope you and Ibbotson would 
have the courage and the energy to save me from a 
watery grave, and all that sort of thing.” 

“ What! jump in after you?” inquired Herman. 

“ No ! How heavy your wits are to-day I You 
need not dampen your trousers. Just drop the fourth 
cutter into the water, pick me up, and then we will 
find our way to tlie shore.” 

“ Some other fellows might take it into their heads 
to rescue you from a watery grave, and all that sort 
of thing,” added Herman. 

“ If they do, so much the better for them. You and 
Ibbotson must make sure that you get into the boat, 
whoever else does. There will be no officers to bother, 
unless Perth happens to be left on board. If he is, 
all right. He will know what to do. If the other 
fellows don’t want to go to Paris with us, or rather on 
their own hook, they can return to the vessel, and 
mildly break it to the professor, that we were all 
drowned. There will not be a particle of trouble 


V 




YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. I^I 

about the business. There are twenty other ways of 
managing the case. As soon as the lambs are off, and 
we are put on board of the Josephine, we will arrange 
everything.’* 

“ Perhaps we shall remain in the ship,” suggested 
Herman. 

“ So much the worse for the ship, for her cable can 
be unbitted, as well as the schooner’s.” 

“ That’s so.” 

“ In the dark, with the ship adrift and liable to be 
thrown on shore, or to run afoul of another vessel, 
there will be a big excitement, and we can do any- 
thing we wish. When the rest of the fellows see 
what is up, they can take care of themselves,” contin- 
ued Little, who did not believe in the possibility of a 
failure. 

“ Very well ; we will suppose we get on shore all 
right — what then? We shall be in Brest, which is a 
fortified city, with gates through which none can pass 
without permission,” said Ibbotson. 

“ Never mind the gates. We shall leave by rail- 
road for Paris. As soon as you raise some money to 
pay for the tickets, I will take care of the rest.” 

“ I have no doubt we can raise the money. My 
father sent me a letter of credit for five hundred francs. 
I heard my cousin say he could get money in any large 
city on his letter of credit, for the bankers know each 
other,” added Ibbotson. 

“ If he had only sent you a circular letter of credit, 
you could draw almost anywhere,” said Herman. 

“ Well, if we can’t raise any money on the letter, I 
have a gold watch that cost about a hundred dollars 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


1^2 

in New York. I can raise two hiinclrccl francs on it, 
and redeem it when we come back,” continued Ibbot- 
son. 

“ That’s the talk ! ” exclaimed Little. “ I like to 
f^ce energy in a fellow. There isn’t a ghost of a doubt 
in my mind but that we shall be in Paris in two or 
three days from now.” 

This interesting conversation was interrupted by the 
boatswain’s call, piping all hands to muster. The 
crew were then drilled for an hour in all the evolu- 
tions of getting under way, and making sail. The 
runaways dared not repeat the experiments which had 
been tried with so much apparent success at Havre, 
for they feared the squadron would be sent to sea 
again if the drill was not perfect. The various move- 
ments were admirably performed, and entirely to the 
satisfaction of Captain Shuffles. The ship’s company 
were then piped to dinner. When they came on 
deck, the signal, “ All hands, attend lecture,” was 
flying on board the ship. This was a hopeful sign 
for those who were impatient to visit the Rhine, and 
most of the crew were ready to hear Professor 
Mapps’s description of Germany. 

While the ship’s company were waiting for the 
arrival of the Josephine’s, a very interesting ceremony 
was performed in the waist. The Grand Protectress 
of the Order of the Faithful raised the members of 
the second degree to the third, adorning them with the 
white ribbon. They had been faithful in the discharge 
of all their duties, and Grace insisted that all the mem- 
bers should now stand on an equal footing. Those 
who wore the yellow ribbon were advanced to the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


173 


second degree ; but Grace promised them that if they 
listened attentively to the lecture, they should receive 
the white ribbon before night. 

With the crew of the Josephine came Mr. Fluxion, 
who immediately retired to the main cabin with the 
principal, where the further details of the cruise to 
Genoa were discussed. It was finally agreed that the 
vice-principal’s plan should be adopted, and that the 
Josephine should sail as early the next day as she could 
be fitted out for the voyage. The two vessels were to 
meet at Lisbon, near the end of the month, and from 
that port proceed on the homeward voyage. Peaks 
and Gage were sent for, and were very willing to be 
temporarily transferred to the consort ; while Leach 
was to remain as ship-keeper, in charge of the Young 
America, during the absence of the party in Ger- 
many. 

While the professor was engaged upon his lecture 
in the steerage, Mr. Fluxion returned to the consort 
with the two forward officers, and, taking in the head 
steward, proceeded to the shore. In half an hour a 
water boat was alongside the Josephine, filling up 
the water tanks and casks. Later in the day several 
shore boats came offito deliver the provisions and sup- 
plies which the steward had purchased. Before night 
the Josephine was ready for the long cruise up the 
Alediterranean, though none of the students on board 
of the ship knew that anything unusual was in 
progress. 


74 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


CHAPTER XI. 

A SHORT LECTURE ON GERMANY. 

I N answer to the summons of the boatswain, “ All 
hands, attend lecture, ahoy ! ” both ships’ com- 
panies assembled in the steerage of the Young Ameri- 
ca. The Arbuckles had seats near the foremast, on 
which the professor displayed his maps, diagrams, 
and other illustrations of his teachings. These lec- 
tures were received with different degrees of favor by 
various students. While such as Paul Kendall, Shuf- 
fles, Gordon, and Tremere regarded them as very 
valuable privileges, others considered them as intolera- 
ble bores. Some were interested in a portion of the 
descriptions and historical details, others closed their 
ears to the whole, though all listened to anything 
that could be considered a story. 

The runaways were among those who regarded the 
present lecture — since they did not expect to visit 
Germany — as an intolerable nuisance. They were 
careful to select places where they could listen or not, 
without attracting the attention of the professor. Her- 
man and Perth had seated themselves near one of the 
gangways before the boatswain sounded the call. The 
latter held a very doubtful position on board. Al- 
though he wore the white ribbon of the Order of the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 75 

Faithful, it was a problem whether he was in sym- 
pathy with the objects of the institution. He had 
declined to serve as a seaman in place of the muti- 
neers ; but in spite of his refusal, he took his place at 
the capstan, and went aloft when the order was given 
to shake out the topsails. He did not like the idea of 
being alone, and if he did not formally recant in so 
many words, he did so by his actions. No fault could 
be found with him, so far as the faithful discharge of 
his duty was concerned ; still liis position was not al- 
together satisfactory. 

Not only the faculty and the officers were in doubt 
in regard to his standing, but also his former asso- 
ciates. He had done nothing to indicate his regret for 
the past, on the one hand, and nothing to assure his 
runaway friends that he was still in sympathy with 
them. The principal did not know where to put him, 
and, consequently, was unable to decide whether or 
not he should be relieved from the penalty of his trans- 
gressions in the Josephine, and be permitted to accom- 
pany the party to Germany. 

“Are you going to the Rhine with the rest of the 
fellows, Perth?” asked Herman, as they seated them- 
selves at the opening of Gangway B. 

“ That^s more than I know ; but I suppose not, for 
I am considered too wicked,” replied the master, 
lightly. 

“ I thought you had joined the lambs.” 

“ Nicht viell ” 

“ What 'do you mean by that?” 

“ Not much ! ” 

“ We all thought so. You have hardly spoken a 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


176 

word to one of our fellows since you went into the 
cabin,” added Herman. 

“ Well, I’ve prayed for you all the same. I de- 
clined to take a seaman’s place when you fellows in 
the steerage slopped over, and wouldn’t come to 
time.” 

“ You didn’t, though ! ” 

“ I did, though ; but I couldn’t stand alone, and I 
sort of backed out, just as the rest of you did, and 
went to work at the braces and buntlines.” 

“ Then you really are not a lamb?” 

“ Not if I know myself! I didn’t do anything to 
get into the cabin ; so it isn’t my fault that I’m there. 
Whether I go to the Rhine or not, I suppose it is cer- 
tain enough that the rest of our fellows will not.” 

“ No ; we have spoiled all our chances.” 

“ There’s no doubt of that,” laughed Perth. 

‘‘ But we are going to Paris,” added Herman, in a 
whisper. “We have the wires all laid down.” 

“Are you, though?” said Perth, deeply interested 
in the communication. “I should like to go with 
you.” 

“ But we are not going in a bunch ; only two or three 
in a squad. Don’t say anything to any of our fellows 
about it.” 

“ I never says nothing to nobody,” laughed Perth. 
“ But I want to know more about it.” 

“ The arrangements are all made, and I don’t think 
there is any chance to fail.” 

“ Good ! ” 

But the professor commenced his lecture at this 
point, and the steerage was hushed, so that it was not 


V 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 77 

prudent even to whisper. The students were all re- 
quired, at these lectures, to be prepared with paper 
and pencils, so that they could take notes, especially 
of dates and statistics. 

“ Our party consists of Little, Ibbotson and myself,” 
Herman wrote on his paper, which he placed so that 
Perth could read it. 

‘‘ Have you any stamps?” Perth wrote. 

“ No ; but Ibbotson has a letter of credit on which 
he can raise some.” 

“My uncle, in Glasgow, sent me twenty pounds — 
four five-pound notes — at the request of my fatlier. 
I got it at Havre,” wrote Perth. “ I will join you in 
Paris if I go to Germany ; if not, I will start with 
you. Pop. N. Ger., 28 mill.; S. Ger., 12.5 mill.; 
total, 40.5 mill. ; about equal to pop. of France.” 

The sudden change in the style of the second mas- 
ter's notes is accounted for by the fact that the prin- 
cipal entered the steerage at the moment indicated by 
the break in the conversation between the two run- 
aways. They were in the rear of all the pther stu- 
dents, and were fully exposed to Mr. Lowington’s 
gaze as he passed out of the main cabin. Perhaps he 
did not think it was quite natural for such students as 
Perth and Herman to be engaged so industriously in 
taking notes ; or it may be that his practised eye fully 
comprehended at a glance the nature of their occupa- 
tion. The instant the door opened, Herman slyly 
slipped off the sheet on which he had been writing, 
and thrust it into his pocket. Perth had written over 
one of his small pages of note paper, and begun upon a 
second. He had, when his companion had read what 
12 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


'178 

he wrote upon it, slipped the first sheet into the atlas, 
which served as a desk for him. 

Mr. Lowington walked to the vicinity of Gangway 
B, and paused there. Perth turned down the upper 
part of the sheet, on which he had written the last 
part of his message to Herman, so that nothing objec- 
tionable appeared on it, even if the principal took it 
into his head to look over his shoulder. Perth was 
not at all flurried — he was too old a rogue to commit 
himself by any weakness ; and when he had written 
down the statement of the professor, he paused and 
looked at the speaker, as though he was wholly and 
entirely absorbed in the lecture. The entrance of 
Mr. Lowington caused many of the students to look 
behind them, as boys will do in school, on the smallest 
pretence. Mr. Mapps insisted upon the students’ at- 
tention, and he paused till his hearers had gratified 
their curiosity. 

Mr. Lowington did not appear to be quite satisfied 
with the conduct of Perth, and, reaching over the 
shoulder of the second master, he took the paper from 
the atlas. Of course this act produced a sensation 
among the boys ; the most insignificant event creates a 
sensation in the school-room. Mr. Mapps lowered 
the pointer, and intimated by his actions that he 
did not intend to proceed till order was restored. 
Perth was confounded this time, if he never was 
before. 

“ What kind of a lecture are you delivering, Mr. 
Mapps?” asked the principal, with a smile. 

“ A lecture on Germany, such as I have usually 
given on these occasions.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 79 

“ As this young gentleman writes it down, it seems 
to me rather a singular lecture. I will read it.” 

Perth wanted to drop through into the hold. 

“ ‘ I will join you in Paris if I go to Germany ; if 
not, I will start with you. Population North Germany, 
twenty-eight millions ; South Germany, twelve and a 
half millions ; total, forty and a half millions ; about 
equal to population of France.’ The latter part seems 
to be a little more germane than the first part. ‘ I 
will join you in Paris if I go to Germany,’ is rather 
paradoxical, and I conclude that the young gentle- 
man has not correctly reported this part of your lec- 
ture.” 

“ I think not, sir,” laughed Mr. Mapps. “ I do not 
remember saying anything about going to Paris.” 

“ Well, Mr. Perth, I recommend that you take a 
seat nearer to the professor, so that you can under- 
stand him better ; for certainly you make very bad 
work of taking notes,” added Mr. Lowington^ as he 
pointed to a seat near the foremast. 

Perth walked forward, and took the place indicated. 
Mr. Mapps proceeded with the lecture ; but it is 
doubtful whether the second master understood him 
any better than before, he was so completely absorbed 
by the consideration of the little difficulty into which 
he had so heedlessly plunged himself. After all, the 
situation was not so bad as it might be. The princi- 
pal could make nothing of the sentence he had read, 
and as nothing had been found upon Herman, he 
could trust to his ingenuity to explain away the mean- 
ing of it. So he used his brain in trying to devise a 
solution of the sentence which would satisfy the p* in- 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


I So 

cipal, instead of attending to the lecture, which he 
feared would have no practical value to him. 

A large majority of the students were deeply inter- 
ested in the remarks of the professor, and as they were 
to be in Germany in a few days, even the dry statis- 
tics were considerably valued. As it would not be 
civil to report the professor’s lecture from the middle, 
where it was interrupted by the entrance of the prin- 
cipal, it is necessary to return to the commencement 
of it. 

“What is the German for Germany?” asked the 
professor, as he picked up his pointer. 

“ Deutschland.” 

“The French?” 

“ Allemagne.” 

“ Germany can hardly be called a nation, though in 
some respects it is similar to the United States. It is 
a confederation of nations, though the people speak 
the same language, and are united by many other 
common ties of manners and customs, as well as of 
contiguity of territory. But it is peculiar in some re- 
spects, as, Prussia is a nation, under its own king and 
('aws ; but only a portion of it belongs to Germany. 
fVnstria * is an empire, under its own emperor ; but 
only a part of his dominions are represented in the 
Germanic Confederation. Its several states are united, 
ibr some specific purposes, such as the collection of 

* Professor Mnpps describes Germany as it was before tbe 
war of v866, and the subsequent reconstruction of North Ger- 
many. In “Northern Lands, or Young America in 
Prussia and Russia,” the present status of Germany will 
be explained. 


VOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. I^I 

certain taxes, and mutual defence. In other respects 
its empires, kingdoms, duchies, &c., are independent 
nations, making their own laws, and legulating their 
own affairs.” 

“ I don’t exactly understand the relations of Austria 
and Prussia to the Germanic Confederation,” said 
Paul Kendall. “ How can part of them belong to the 
confederation without the whole?” 

“ Very easily,” replied the professor ; “ though, if 
you ask me why a part, and not the whole, of Prussia 
or Austria should be included in the Germanic Con- 
federation, I cannot tell you, unless it be to pieserve 
‘ ancient landmarks.’ The province of Prussia proper 
was not German ; and that may be a very good rea^ 
son why it never should be. Germany is a league of 
the several sovereignties into which the old German 
empire had fallen. The archduchy of Austria was, 
and Hungary was not, German, in the reign of the 
emperors. Holstein-Lauenburg * belongs to Den- 
mark, but belongs, at the same time, to Germany. 
Of the eight provinces of Prussia, two are not in- 
cluded in the confederation. Of the twenty -one states 
or provinces which constitute the Austrian empire, 
eleven are German. 

“I can see no good reason why, if the Geimanic 
league is of any service, the provinces of Prussia and 
Posen should not be admitted, as well as the other six 
divisions of the kingdom of Prussia. We take the 
fact as we find it. Germany, then, is simply a union 
of states for certain purposes. It is not, in any proper 


Annexed to Prussia in 1866. 


i 82 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


sense, a nation. It does not send representatives to 
foreign countries, and it can make laws and regula- 
tions only to cover the purposes of the league. 

“ In 1863 there were thirty-four states represented 
in the confederation. The empire of Austria cast 
four votes in the general convention ; the kingdoms of 
Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Hanover, and Wurtemburg, 
also four each ; other states, grand duchies, duchies, 
electorates, principalities, landgraviates, and free cities, 
from one to three, according to their size and impor- 
tance. These representatives meet at Frankfort, which 
is the capital of Germany. The population of North- 
ern Germany is about twenty-eight millions ; of South- 
ern Germany, twelve and a half millions ; making 
about forty and a half millions, or about equal to that 
of France. 

“ Of the early history of Germany there is no au- 
thentic record. The ancient Romans had no knowl- 
edge of the people north of the Danube and east of 
the Rhine, except as the barbarous tribes wdio made 
incursions into their territory. When Gaul came into 
the possession of the Romans, they learned more of 
the barbarians of the north, who were called Ger- 
man! — a W'ord which is probably derived from gcr^ 
a spear, indicating their warlike character. Among 
these tribes were the Teutons, the Saxons, the Franks, 
the Goths, the Vandals, the Gauls, whose names are 
common in history. Clovis, the ancient sovereign of 
the Frankish empire, and his successors, conquered 
these tribes, and incorporated their territory in the 
Empire of the West, which reached the height of its 
glory under the reign of Charlemagne. His son 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


Louis was too weak to rule so vast a realm, and in 
S43 the empire was divided into three parts, and given 
to his three sons. France became the portion of 
Charles the Bald ; Italy, of Lothaire ; and Germany, 
of Louis. At this time the German kingdom ex- 
tended from the Rhine to the Elbe, and from the Ger- 
man Ocean to the Danube. 

“ During the succeeding century, Germany was par- 
titioned into three smaller divisions, became a part of 
France again, and the throne was subverted by the 
nobles, who elected the kings. Portions of Italy, and 
other territory beyond the Elbe, were conquered. I 
will not weary you even by mentioning the line of 
kings who followed. Thei-r dominions were torn by 
dissensions, while they struggled to increase their 
power. In 1273, Count Rudolph of Hapsburg was 
elected emperor, and, after a fierce struggle with the 
unruly barons, succeeded in establishing his authority, 
and in obtaining possession of the dukedom of Aus- 
tria, and several other provinces. The house of Haps- 
burg has to the present time retained the throne of 
Austria. 

“Jealous of the growing power of the Hapsburgs, 
the nobles elected Adolph, Count of Nassau, Emperor 
of Germany ; but Albert, Rudolph^s son and successor, 
wrested the crown from him. The Hapsburgs had 
possessions in Switzerland, when the house obtained 
its power in Austria, and they held them as dependen- 
cies upon the dukedom. The Swiss revolted in the 
reign of Albert, and their long and severe struggle for 
independence was commenced at this time. 

“ During the reign of Sigismund, one of the succes- 


184 DOWN THE RHINfi, OR 

sors of Albert, John Huss, the reformer, was burned 
at the stake at Constance, whither he had gone with 
the safe-conduct of the emperor. His martyrdom 
caused the Hussite war, in which several severe bat- 
tles were fought, including one at Prague. In i593> 
Maximilian I. succeeded to the throne; and in his 
reign the Reformation by Luther began. Charles V., 
the grandson of Maximilian, — of whom I spoke to 
you in giving the history of Holland and Belgium, — 
united the crowns of Spain, Germany, the Nether- 
lands, and Naples, and the empire became the leading 
power of Europe. The Reformation produced fierce 
dissensions and savage contests. Charles was obliged, 
sorely against his will, to grant privileges to his Lu- 
theran subjects. But he was disgusted with power, and 
resigned his crown. He was succeeded by his brother, 
Ferdinand L, as Emperor of Germany, and by his 
son, Philip II., as King of Spain ; to whom, also, he 
gave his possessions in the Netherlands. The dissen- 
sions in the empire enabled France on the west and 
Turkey on the east to wrest valuable possessions from 
it. The successors of Charles V. were unable to 
breast the storm of progress successfully, and the im- 
perial authority was completely shattered. The power 
of the petty rulers of small states increased and over- 
shadowed that of the central authority. 

“ The emperors Ferdinand and Matthias treated the 
Protestants with so much severity, committing the 
most flagrant outrages upon them, that it brought on 
the Thirty Years’ War. When Matthias died, the in- 
surgents declared the throne vacant, and chose the 
Elector Frederick emperor. The Protestant princes 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 85 

fought for him, while the Catholic powers sustained 
Ferdinand II., Archduke of Austria. Peace was es- 
tablished, by the treaty of Westphalia, in 1648, by 
which Germany lost a portion of her territory. After 
these events, the power of the emperors waned still 
more, until their title was little more than a surname 
of the rulers of Austria. When Prussia became a 
great Protestant power, under Frederick the Great, 
she was a check upon Austria, and prevented the lat- 
ter from reestablishing the ancient pow’er of the Ger- 
man empire. 

“ The French revolution practically destroyed the 
empire. Francis II. of Austria, overwhelmed by Na- 
poleon, ceded to him the country on the left bank of 
the Rhine. When the Rhenish Confederation of Na- 
poleon was formed, in 1806, Francis resigned the 
crown of the German empire, which was thus for- 
mally dissolved. Many changes in territorial limits 
were made, and the free cities lost their independence. 
The country was either actually or virtually subject to 
Napoleon, who dictated its policy, and levied heavy 
contributions upon it. 

“ As it was not possible for all these small states to 
maintain their separate independence unaided, when 
the Allied Powers had driven Napoleon from Europe, 
and restored the nations to their original condition, it 
became necessary to regulate the affairs of Germany. 
Prussia objected to an independent empire, whose 
power might endanger her safety and progress ; and a 
confederation of the states was formed in 18151 which 
exists at the present time.” * 


* Dissolved in 1866. 


iS6 


DOWN TH5 RHINE, OR 


The professor continued to describe the country, and 
to define the powers and duties of the Federal Diet ; 
but as many changes have been made in the govern- 
ment and in the states, it is not necessary to transcribe 
his remarks to these pages. He promised, as occasion 
might offer on their travels, to give the students further 
explanations of the nature of the territory, govern- 
ments, and local peculiarities of the several states 
they might visit. The boys were satisfied with this 
arrangement, and the session was closed. The boat- 
swain immediately piped all hands to muster on deck. 

“ Whom do you purpose to join in Paris, if you 
go to Germany?” asked Mr. Lowington, when Perth 
appeared among the officers. 

“ My uncle,” replied the second master, promptly. 

‘‘ Your uncle from Glasgow, I suppose you mean.” 

“ Yes, sir. He wrote me that he should be in Paris 
early this month.” 

“ How happened you to be writing the Sentence on 
your paper?” 

“ I was writing a letter which I intended to copy 
with ink, as soon as I had time.” 

“ Have you the rest of the letter?” 

“ No, sir ; I tore it up just now.” 

“ Will you be kind enough to produce your uncle’s 
letter?” said the principal, quietly. 

“ I don’t keep my letters, sir ; and I destroyed it as 
soon as I had read it.” 

I suppose you did,” replied Mr. Lowington, sig- 
nificantly. “ But if you don’t go to Germany, what 
then? I think you wrote the words, ‘ I will start with 
you.’ ” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 87 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ Start from where ? ” 

“From here.” 

“ I don’t understand it.” 

“ I was going to write to uncle Donald, that, if I 
went to Germany, I would see him in Paris as we 
pass through that city. If I did not go, I wanted him 
to come here, and take me to Paris with him.” 

“ And you think this explains what you wrote upon 
your note paper?” inquired the principal. 

“ As I understand it, sir, it does.” 

“ Was Herman expected to join your party?” 

“ No, sir.” 

“ I observed that he seemed to be much interested 
in what you were writing, and that you took some 
pains to let him see your paper. YoUr explanation is 
not satisfactory, and I should not dare to take you to 
Germany, lest you should miss your uncle on the way. 
Perhaps he had better come to Brest himself. When 
do you expect him ? ” 

“I don’t know when he is coming, sir,” replied 
Perth, rather abashed to find his explanation had ob- 
tained so little consideration. 

“ Have you any money, Perth?” asked Mr. Lowing- 
ton, suddenly. 

“ No, sir.” 

“ Not a few francs, even ? ” 

“ Perhaps I have a few English pence.” 

“ Haven’t you a few English pounds?” 

“ No, sir.” 

“Just think a little, before you answer.” 

“ If I had even a pound, I should be likely to re- 
member it, sir.” 


1 88 DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

“ I should say you would ; and twenty times as 
likely to remember it, if you had twenty pounds,” 
added the principal. 

“ O, I haven’t anything like that, sir.” 

“You have an astonishingly bad memor}', Perth. 
You received a letter from your uncle in Glasgow, 
while you were at Havre. Do you remember that ? ” 

“ Certainly I do, sir,” replied Perth, wondering wliat 
the principal could mean by such pointed questions. 

Was it possible that Mr. Lowington had read 
what he wrote on the first sheet of note paper? He 
thrust his hand into his pocket, and the sheet was 
there as he had taken it from the atlas. 

“ You do remember the letter? ” 

“ To be sure I do, sir.” 

“ And don’t you remember that there were four 
five-pound notes in it, numbering from thirty-three 
thousand eight hundred forty-five to eight, inclusive? 
It is very singular, indeed, that you have forgotten 
this little circumstance.” 

Perth was confounded by this revelation. He saw 
that he was caught, and that it was useless for him to 
say anything more ; so he wisely held his peace. 

“ If your uncle has not changed his mind within 
three days, he has no more intention of coming to 
France than I have of going to Glasgow. I received 
a letter from him to-day, since the ship came to an- 
chor, forwarded from Havre after we left. The writer 
was confined to the house with a severe attack of 
rheumatism. In the quiet of his chamber, he had an 
opportunity to consider whether he had done right to 
send you twenty pounds, even with the advice of your 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 89 

father, without informing me of the fact. He thought 
the sum was a large one for a young man to have, and 
he desires me to see that you make a proper use of it. 
I will trouble you to hand me the money, which shall 
be placed to your credit, and receipted for by the 
pursers.” 

“ I haven’t the money now, sir,” replied Perth, who 
was fidly resolved to run away at the first convenient 
opportunity, and wanted the money to pay his ex- 
penses. 

“ Where is it? ” 

“ I sent it to a banker — ” 

“ Silence ! Don’t blacken your soul with any more 
falsehoods, Perth,” interrupted the principal, sternly. 

“ You may search me, sir,” replied the second mas- 
ter, throwing out his arms, as though he were ready 
to submit to the operation. 

“ I may, but I do not choose to do so at present. 
Keep your eye on him. Peaks,” added the principal,, 
as he walked forward to his usual stand on the hatch. 

“ You are foolish, Master Perth,” said the old boat- 
swain, shaking his head ; for he had been the only 
person who had listened to the interview, and ap- 
peared to be present for a purpose. 

Perth put his hands in his pockets. He felt the 
paper on which he had written during the lecture. 
It would be a dangerous document in case he should 
be searched; for its contents would expose him,. and 
implicate others. As slyly and as quickly as he could, 
he took it out, tore it into small bits, and threw it out 
the open port into the water. 

“What’s that?” demanded Peaks, seizing him by 
the collar. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


190 X 

“ Yoli are too late,” answered Perth. 

“ What was it you tore up?” 

“ The five-pound notes.” 

“ Tell that to the marines ! ” exclaimed the old sailor- 

“They are gone to Davy Jones’s locker now,” re- 
plied Perth, shaking his head. , » 

Peaks instantly reported the matter to the principal, 
who, however, did not deem it necessary to take any 
immediate action. Probably he did not believe the 
young wretch had destroyed the bills ; or, if he had, 
it was his own loss. Perth stood silent and sullen, 
while Mr. Lowington spoke to the students, announ- 
cing the arrangements for the excursion to the Rhine. 
The delinquent was certain, by this time, that he was 
not to be one of the party ; but he hoped, if he saved 
his money, that he should find an opportunity to es- 
cape from the squadron soon after his shipmates 
started on their journey. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANS. 


I9J 


CHAPTER XIL 

A MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENT. 

“'\^OUNG gentlemen,” said Mr. Lo.wington, as 
X lie stepped upon the hatch, after disposing 
of Perth’s case, “ we shall commence our tour to the 
Rhine to-morrow morning.” 

A hearty demonstration of applause greeted this an- 
nouncement, and doubtless those who had been faith- 
ful from the beginning realized a certain sense of 
triumph, because they were justified in their hopes. 

“We shall leave in the first train for Paris, where 
we will spend the night, and proceed to Strasburg the 
next day. From this point we shall enter Germany, 
and after visiting several places of interest, such as 
Fribourg, Baden, Schaffhausen, Stuttgart, Carlsruhe, 
Heidelberg, and Frankfort. We shall take the steam- 
er at Mayence, and go down the Rhine as far as Co- 
logne. This excursion will enable you to see all of 
the river which is worth seeing. You have already 
seen the Rhine in Holland, and at Basle. All its pic- 
turesque portions are crowded into the space of less 
than a hundred miles, which you can witness from 
the deck of a steamer in a single day, if such haste 
were necessary. 

“ As we leave at an early hour in the morning, it 


DOWN THE KHINE, OR 


192 

will be best to make our arrangements to-night. On 
our return to Havre, Captain Shuffles requested me to 
allow all hands to join in this excursion.” 

A few half-suppressed hisses from some of the run- 
aways were promptly drowned in a sea of applause 
from the Order of the Faithful. 

“ I had the subject under consideration, and it w^ould 
have afforded me very great pleasure to grant the re- 
quest ; but the conduct of those in whose favor it was 
made has been such, since we left Havre, that I am 
unable to grant it. I shall, therefore, be obliged again 
to leave thirty-one of your number on board of the 
Josephine during the absence of the others.” 

The runaways, to the astonishment, if not the horror, 
of the Faithful, warmly applauded this announcement. 
It was equivalent to saying they did not wish to join 
the excursion. The principal made no remark, though 
the applause was certainly impudent ; but doubtless 
he was fully reconciled to the little arrangement he 
had made with Mr. Fluxion. 

“ Those who are to go wdll bring their bags on 
board of the ship, and sleep here to-night,” continued 
Mr. Lowington. “ Those who are not to go will take 
their bags on board the Josephine. If there is any 
doubt as to who the thirty-one are, their names will 
be read.” 

No one called for the reading of the names, for there 
was no one who needed to be enlightened. The stu- 
dents were dismissed, and the boats from the consort 
returned. In a short time, the runaways, who be- 
longed to the ship’s company, appeared upon deck 
with their luggage. They seemed to be rather jubi- 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY, 


193 


lant than otherwise ; and though their manner was 
very offensive, the principal took no notice of it, as it 
was not openly insolent, consisting only of a real or 
assumed expression of pleasure at the sentence pro- 
nounced against them. All of them expected to 
escape from the consort during the administration 
of Dr. Carboy, and they regarded a couple of weeks 
in Paris and Switzerland, free from restraint, as ample 
compensation for the deprivation. 

“ Let those laugh that win,” said Herman, when 
Horne, one of the Faithful, ventured to sympathize 
with him in the misfortune of being left behind. 

“ I don’t see what you can win doing duty and learn- 
ing your lessons on board of the Josephine,” added 
Horne. 

“ Don’t you cry, my hearty. You will hear from 
us by the time you get half way down the Rhine ; and 
if we don’t have a better time than you do, it will be 
because we don’t know how.” 

“ Well, I suppose you do know Howe,” answered 
Horne, with a smile, which indicated that he enjoyed 
even a sickly pun. “ I should think you had known 
him to your sorrow.” 

“ Howe has played out. I expect Lowington will 
get boozy on this excursion.” 

“ Why so?” 

“ Because he’s going to take a Horne on the trip.” 

“ Pretty good ! I see you know Howe.” 

“ We know how to have a good time, and we can 
do it without any sheep’s wool.” 

“ Are you going to run away in the Josephine again, 

Herman?” 


13 


£94 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“No; that’s, played out.” 

But the runaway was reminded, by this queition, 
that he had been talking rather imprudently, and he 
left his companion for more genial associates. 

Perth still stood on the quarter-deck, waiting the 
action of the principal, who had sent the head stew- 
ard to overhaul the state-room of the delinquent. The 
money could not be found in the cabin, though several 
of the officers, who were there, assisted in the search. 

“ What have you done with the twenty pounds sent 
you by your uncle, Perth?” asked Mr. Lowington, 
when the steward had reported to him. 

“ Thrown it overboard, sir,” replied Perth, with a 
malignant glance at the boatswain. 

“ He threw some bits of paper he had torn up into 
the water,” added Peaks. “ Whether it was the bank 
bills or not, I don’t know, but I don’t think it was.” 

“Very well,” added Mr. Lowington, who never 
permitted a delinquent pupil to see that he was dis- 
turbed and annoyed, even if he was so. “You will 
bring your bag on deck, and go on board of the 
Josephine.” 

“ Pm ready, sir,” replied Perth, with brazen assur- 
ance. 

“ As your conduct is hardly becoming an officer and 
a gentleman, you will clothe yourself in a seaman’s 
dress,” added the principal, taking the shoulder-straps 
from his coat. “ When a young man can stand up 
and reel off a string of lies without blushing, he is not 
fit to associate with those who are competent to be 
officers of this ship.” 

“ I earned my rank, sir/’ said Perth, who had an 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


195 

idea that he should sleep in the cabin of the Josephine 
during his intended short stay on board of her. 

“ And forfeited it by your gross misconduct. Yon 
will obey the orders given yon,” added the principal, 
as he turned and walked away. 

Peaks did not take his eye off the offender, but at- 
tended him to the cabin, where he was supplied with 
a seaman’s suit. Perth objected to changing his cloth- 
ing with a pertinacity which provoked the boatswain. 

“ If you say you won’t change the clothes, I will re- 
port to Mr. Lowington,” said Peaks. 

“ Well, I won’t.” 

“ All right, my hearty ; ” and the old sailor left the 
state-room. 

But he had not reached the deck before Perth 
hailed him. 

“ I will put them on, Mr. Peaks. I’ve thought bet- 
ter of it,” said he, throwing off his frock coat, as the 
boatswain appeared at the door of the room. 

“ All the better for you, my lad. I thought you 
wanted to spend a week or tw'o in the brig,” replied 
Peaks. 

“ I think it is a hard case, after a fellow has earned 
his rank, to take it from him,” muttered Perth, as he 
proceeded to put on the sailor’s suit. 

“An officer should be a gentleman,” growled the 
old sailor. 

But the boatswain had been overreached, after all. 
The four five-pound notes had been sewed into the 
w'aistband of Perth’s trousers; and this was the par- 
ticular reason why he objected to losing his rank, if 
he had to lose his pants with it. Peaks would not 


1(^6 " 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


take his eye off him long enough to allow him to teat 
out the bills ; but when the boatswain went to report 
to the principal, the opportunity was obtained, and 
promptly used. The money was saved, and he yielded 
the point. He was conducted to the deck, and when 
the boats brought the Josephines, who were to visit 
Germany, to the ship, the runaways were sent to their 
new quarters, or rather their old ones, for they had 
spent three weeks in her before, under the superin- 
tendence of Mr. Fluxion. Before supper time the 
change was effected. Dr. Carboy, at' his own re- 
quest, — for he preferred the trip to the Mediterranean 
to that into Germany, — was transferred to the consort 
for the cruise, with Peaks and Bitts. 

The “ ha23py family” were now united on board 
the ship, and all the active discordant elements of the 
squadron were collected in the consort. With only a 
very few exceptions, both parties were satisfied with 
the arrangement. The runaways perhajDS experi- 
enced a feeling of relief that they were no longer in 
danger of being watched and overheard by the 
“ lambs.” They had only to look out for the adult 
officers now, and in the steerage they were by them- 
selves. 

Yet the appearance of Peaks on board of the con- 
sort with his bag was rather ominous. Bitts was not 
regarded with the same dread. There were now four 
adult forward officers in the Josej:)hine ; but the old 
boatswain was the only one who insjoired any special 
terror. Little’s brilliant scheme to enable his small 
party to escaj^e seemed to be endangered by Peak’s 
coming, for he was an exceedingly prompt, decided 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. I97 

and vigilant man. The four old sailors, on an emer- 
gency, could handle the Josephine alone. 

“ What do you think now ? ’’ said Herman, when 
everything on board the consort had settled down into 
order and quiet. 

“ I don’t like to see old Peaks on board,” replied 
the little villain. “ He is a tough customer, and may 
bother us.” 

“ That’s so.” 

“ But I think we can wax him.” 

“ I hope so. We have Tom Perth now to help us. 
We must take him into our squad, and then we shall 
just make up a crew for the third or fourth cutter.” 

“ I don’t like too many.” 

“ But Perth has the rocks in his pocket now — 
twenty pounds, or five hundred francs,” suggested 
Herman. 

“ That’s an inducement.” 

“ Certainly it is. We can cut for Paris the moment 
we get on shore.” 

“ All right. We will try it on about to-morrow 
night. But don’t say a word to a single other fellow. 
We must look out for ourselves this time, and not at- 
tempt to carry all the rest of the fellows on our backs,” 
added the prudent Little. 

“ It looks mean to do so.” 

“ No, it don’t. I have told them all to look out for 
themselves.” 

“ But they don’t even know how the thing is to be 
managed.” 

“ No ; and they shall not know it. If they don’t 
know enough to go ashore when the vessel is adrift, 
let them stay on board.” 


198 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Well, Perth is the only fellow to whom I men- 
tioned it.” 

“ That’s all right ; but don’t let him say anything 
about how the thing is to be done.” 

“ He don’t know. I only told him we had a plan 
which could not possibly fail.” 

“ It won’t, if Peaks don’t make trouble. We must 
let off the gun when he is not on deck,” continued 
Little. 

“ We shall be able to see, after to-night, how things 
are to be done on board, and whether any of the men 
are to keep watch,” added Herman. “ We needn’t 
give up if we don’t happen to get off to-morrow night, 
for we have two or three weeks to do the job in.” 

Little, seated out on the bowsprit, rehearsed his plan 
again, and went into all the minor details. They were 
presently joined by Perth, and the whole affair was ex- 
plained to him. He approved it, and made a number 
of suggestions in regard to the boats. 

“ I am bound to go this time,” said Perth, earnestly. 
‘‘I don’t stay another week in the Academy. I have 
had my shoulder-straps stripped oft', and am pointed 
at by the lambs as an example of a naughty boy. I 
bluffed them all on board the ship, but with me the 
die ^s cast. If your plan don’t work, I shall jump 
overboard, and swim ashore. I have been degraded 
and disgraced, and I can’t possibly stand it any 
longer.” 

“ We are all in the same boat ; and if we can’t get 
off any other way, we will set the vessel afire, and 
swim ashore by the light of it,” added Little. 

“You are the fellow for me!” exclaimed Perth. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 1 99 

** I don’t want any milk and water about this scrape. If 
we can’t make it go in one way, we will try another.” 

Peaks, who was planking the deck, extended his 
walk to the forecastle, and the trio discontinued theil 
conversation. They were satisfied that setting the 
vessel' adrift, some time in the night, would accom- 
plish their purpose, and they were willing to wait till 
the next evening. They had some difficulty in escaping 
the observation of their companions who were not in 
the secret ; but they assured them something would be 
done just as soon as Mr. Fluxion started for Italy, which 
it was understood, would be on the following day. 

Berths were assigned to the temporary crew of the 
Josephine, and at an early hour they turned in. None 
of them were detailed to keep the anchor watch on 
deck ; but in the night Little crawled out of his berth, 
and went up the ladder. All was still on deck, and 
he could not see that any one was on watch. Seven 
bells struck on board a man-of-war at anchor near the 
vessel. It was half past eleven. He crept stealthily to 
the forecastle, where he found Bitts, who was asleep 
under the lee of the capstan. This discovery satisfied 
him that the forward officers were to keep the anchor 
watch. The arrangement was not favorable to the carry- 
ing out of Little’s scheme ; but if the man on deck would 
only sleep, it would not make so much difference. 

Little carefully studied the situation, which sug- 
gested to his fertile invention half a dozen expedients, 
in case he failed at the proper time to unbit the cable. 
Four of them could jump into one of the cutters, lower 
the boat from the davit, and might reach the shore 
before a single man could call assistance, and get 


zoo 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


another boat into the water. One of them could pre- 
tend to be sick, and, sending the watchman to the 
cabin to procure medicine, escape while he was look- 
ing for it. And so the little schemer went on till he 
had a quiver full of expedients, any one of which prom- 
ised to be successful. Having satisfied himself tliat 
he had not been reckoning too fast, he went below 
again, and turned in. 

At daylight in the morning all hands were called 
on board of the Young America. An early break- 
fast was taken, and a steamer came alongside to con- 
vey the happy party to the shore. The hands on board 
the Josephine were turned out at the same hour, and 
they had the satisfaction of seeing the members of the 
Order of the Faithful depart on their pleasant tour 
to the Rhine. Breakfast was served to them at the 
usual hour, and when Herman and Little went on 
deck, after the meal, they saw a man in a canoe com- 
ing alongside. He looked like a pilot, but neither 
of the two runaways who saw him suspected that he 
had a mission on board. He came on deck, and was 
duly welcomed by Mr. Fluxion. 

“ What does that covey want here?” said Little. 

“ I don’t know,” replied Herman. 

“ He has made his canoe fast astern, as though he 
meant to stay here some time.” 

“ O, he’s only loafing, and wants to see a Yankee 
ship and a Yankee crew,” laughed Herman. 

Little did not exactly like the coming of the pilot ; 
not that he had any suspicion of the actual pro- 
gramme, but he was afraid the vessel might be moored 
in some less convenient place for the escape than her 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


201 


present berth. As the runaways finished their break- 
fast, they came on deck, and some of them recognized 
the pilot as the one who had brought the Josephine 
into port the day before. 

“ All hands, on deck, ahoy ! ” shouted Peaks, blow- 
ing a pipe more shrill than had ever before been heard 
on board of the consort. 

All hands were on deck already ; but the call pro- 
duced a decided sensation. Something was to be 
done, and all hands fell to discussing probabilities 
with a zeal, which ought to have brought forth correct 
conclusions. The general opinion seemed to be, that 
nothing more than a sermon was coming off, though 
the vice-principal was not much given to preach- 
ing. If Mr. Fluxion was going to Italy, it would be 
necessary for him formally to transfer his authority to 
Professor Carboy. On the whole, therefore, the pros- 
pect was rather pleasing than otherwise. Herman, 
and some of the others who were deeply concerned 
in coming events, advised all the fellows to behave 
well, and take the preaching kindly, so that the offi- 
cers need not “ smell a mice.” 

“ All hands, up anchor, ahoy ! ” roared old Peaks, 
piping a blast which seemed to come from the breath 
of a north-wester, while the leading spirits were coun- 
selling meekness and submission. 

‘‘What does that mean?” demanded the astonished 
Perth. 

“ O, nothing ! Only we are going to have another 
anchorage,” replied Herman. 

“ Lively, my hearties,” said the boatswain, as he 
stepped forward into the waist. “ Don’t you hear the 
pipe?” 


202 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“I hear it; but we haven’t been stationed in this 
vessel,” replied Herman. 

“ That’s very true, my lad ; for once you speak the 
truth.” 

“ You are a little fast. Peaks,” said the vice-j^rinci- 
pal, coming up from the cabin with a paper in his 
hand. “ Here is the bill, and we will station the crew 
before we do anything.” 

Every one of the runaways was stationed for each 
of the various evolutions of getting under way, mak- 
ing and taking in sail, reefing and tacking. They 
were all good seamen, and it was not necessary to 
drill them in their duties. The boatswain again piped, 
“ All hands, up anchor, ahoy ! ” 

The hands took their stations promptly enough, and 
when the anchor was hove up to a short stay, the fore- 
sail and mainsail were hoisted. 

“ Clear away the jib and flying-jib ! ” shouted Mr. 
Fluxion, who gave all the orders himself, though they 
were repeated by Peaks and Cleats, who acted as first 
and second ofiiccrs. 

“ All ready forward, sir,” reported Cleats. 

“ Man the capstan ! Stand by the jib-halyards ! ” 

“ Anchor a-weigh, sir ! ” said Cleats, who was doing 
duty on the forecastle. 

“ Hoist the jib ! ” 

“ Up with the jib ! ” repeated Peaks. 

As the anchor came up to the hawse-hole, the jib 
filled, and tlie vessel began to move. 

“Cat and fish the anchor !” called the vice-princi- 
pal ; and his order was passed forward. 

“ Cat and fish the anchor ! ” exclaimed Perth. That 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


203 


doesn’t look as though we were going to another an- 
chorage.” 

“ It’s all right ; we can’t go far,” added Herman. 

While those who were stationed on the top-gallant 
forecastle were engaged in catting and fishing the an- 
chor, those who had been assigned to places on the 
topsail and top-gallant yards were sent aloft. 

“ Lay aloft, sail-loosers ! ” continued Mr. Fluxion, 
and the top-men and top-gallant-men ran up the rig- 
ging as nimbly as though they had perfectly compre- 
hended the purpose of the officers. “ Lay out and 
loose ! ” 

“All ready !” shouted Bitts, who had gone aloft 
with the top-men. 

“ Let fall ! ” 

“ Let fall,” passed from Peaks to Bitts, and from 
the latter to the top-men. 

“ Man the topsail and top-gallant sheets and hal- 
yards. Sheet home, and hoist away ! ” 

The topsails and top-gallant sails were speedily set, 
the braces were manned, and the yards trimmed. 
Gage had the helm, the pilot standing near him to 
give out the courses. The main gaft-topsail was next 
set, and the Josephine was then under full sail. With 
the wind fair, and everything drawing, she flew 
through the Goulet at the rate of ten knots an hour. 
Peaks was as busy as a bee, and in person saw that 
every rope was properly coiled up or flemished, that 
the cable was in order to run out when needed, and in 
general, that everything was in ship-shape order. 

As good seamen, the young gentlemen understood 
that these careful preparations did not indicate merely 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


^C4 

a cliange in the holding-ground of the vessel. Every- 
thing about the Josephine seemed to be shrouded in 
profound mystery. Peaks kept all hands at work till 
the strict order of a man-of-war prevailed in every part 
of the deck and rigging. He did not say anything, or 
do anything, which afforded the slightest hint in regard 
to the destination of the consort. Mr. Fluxion planked 
the quarter-deck, and did not manifest the least sign 
of an intention to go to Italy. The movement was 
utterly incomprehensible, and the runaways began to 
look very anxious. 

After passing through the Goulet into the open sea, 
the fore and main sheets were manned, the yards 
braced up, and the course changed to the south-west. 
Onr the Chaussee de Sein, the pilot was discharged, 
and the Josephine sped on her way, with a fresh breeze 
a little forward of the beam. Still the vice-principal 
planked the quarter-deck, and no one said anything 
to solve the mystery. Peaks had caused everything to 
be done which he could find to do, and all hands were 
“ sogering” about the deck. 

“ Mr. Peaks, pipe down the port watch,” said Mr. 
Fluxion, at last, as though every word cost him a 
month’s salary, he was so chary of them. 

The acting first officer obeyed the Order, and the 
port watch were dismissed from duty. Like old sail- 
ors, they went below, partly from the force of habit, 
and partly to discuss the unaccountable movement of 
the vessel. Perth and Herman were both in the star- 
board watch ; but Little and Ibbotson put their heads 
together as soon as they were in the steerage. 

“ I don’t understand it,” said Ibbotson, shaking his 
head. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


205 


“Nor I either; but I think it will come out all 
right,” replied Little, who was always disposed to put 
the best face upon doubtful indications. 

“ Do you suppose we are homeward bound ? ” 

“ Of course not. Look at the tell-tale. We arcf 
running about south-west by south.” 

“ Perhaps that’s the course on the great circle.” 

“ Nonsense ! We shall fetch up on the coast of South 
America, if we keep this course long enough.” 

“ I don’t know about the course, but I have made 
up my mind that this is about what it means. I’ll bet 
all the bad marks I shall get for the next quarter, that 
we are homeward bound.” 

“ No such thing.” 

“ I believe it,” persisted Ibbotson. “ Lowington did 
not know what to do with us, while he is in Germany, 
and so he has sent us home.” 

“ South-west by west won’t take us home. Fluxion 
is only giving us an airing for a day or two, just to see 
how we behave, and to give us a little wholesome dis- 
cipline. If we are good, he will return to port, and 
start for Italy. What is Dr. Carboy here for, if we 
are bound home?” 

“What is he here for? Because Mr. Stout is not 
here. I suppose they have changed places for a few 
weeks. The ship goes home next month.” 

“ Don’t you cry ! In a day or two, if not before 
night, we shall be back again in the harbor of Brest. 
I’m willing to bet all my bad marks against all yours, 
that we get ashore in less than forty-eight hours.” 

“ That’s heavy betting, but it won’t settle anything. 
There is Peaks ; suppose we ask him,” suggested Ib- 
botson, as the old boatswain came down the ladder, 


2o6 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“You can call up spirits from the vasty deep, but 
they yvon’t come. You can ask him, but you might 
as well put the question to the anchor-stock.” 

“Where are we going, Mr. Peaks?” asked Ibbot- 
son, as gently as though he were addressing a lady. 

“ Going to sea,” replied Peaks, gruffly, as he went 
on his way, deigning no further answer. 

“ No use,!’ said Little. “ If we only wait, we shall 
know in a day or two. In the mean time we must be 
as proper as the parson’s lambs.” 

Still the Josephine sped on her way, and no one 
was the wiser. 


I 




■ i --.r? 



YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


207 


CHAPTER XIIL 


FROM STRASBURG TO CONSTANCE. 

HE party on board of the Young America were 



X in the highest spirits on the morning of their 
departure. All of them had now been decorated with 
the white ribbon of the Order of the Faithful. Even 
Raymond and Lindsley were entirely satisfied with 
the good faith and fairness of the principal — better 
satisfied than they were with their own conduct. 
What had before been regarded as defeat was now 
triumph, for a failure to achieve success in doing 
wrong is actually victory, especially if followed, as 
in this instance, by real regret, genuine penitence. 

Grace Arbuckle, perhaps conscious that she had 
exerted a salutary influence upon the students through 
the pleasantry of the Order of the Faithful, was as 
happy as the young gentlemen themselves. She ap- 
peared on deck at an early hour, and when the offi- 
cers and seamen presented themselves, in their best 
uniforms, wearing the white ribbon, she was so de- 
lighted she could not help laughing heartily. 

“ Commodore Kendall, are you going to wear that 
ribbon to Paris?” she asked, as Paul touched his cap 
to her. 

“ Certainly I am. I should as soon think of going 
without my coat as without that,” replied he. 


2o8 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ But how absurd ! ” 

“Absurd? Vous nc fouvez pas faire mt sifflet 
de la queue d'un cochonP added he, very seriously. 

“ C*est vrai ; but what has that to do with the rib- 
bon? Do you mean to call that a pig’s tail? 

“ No ; on the contrary, it is the wing of an angel — 
it was bestowed by you. I only mean to say it would 
be quite impossible to go to Germany without this rib- 
bon. It is our talisman to keep us faithful to duty ; 
and I am afraid we should get into mischief if we 
went without it. Every member will wear his decora- 
tion. But, Miss Arbuckle, I think you ought to wear 
the white ribbon also.” 

“ I ! ” 

“ Certainly. You are the Grand Protectress of the 
order. Do wear it, Miss Arbuckle, with a rosette, to 
indicate your superior rank. It would please all the 
members very much.” 

“ I will, if you desire it,” replied Grace, more seri- 
ously. 

“ We all desire it.” 

“ It shall be done, if you wish it.” 

“ Thanks.” 

Grace tripped lightly down the stairs to the cabin, 
but presently returned, wearing the white ribbon, sur- 
mounted by a very tasty rosette, composed of white, 
blue, and yellow ribbons, to denote the several de- 
grees of the order. Paul was in raptures, and when 
the ship’s company saw the decoration she wore, they 
saluted her with three rousing cheers, which she grace- 
fully acknowledged. 

“We must perpetuate this order. Shuffles,” said 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 209 

Paul, as they stood in the presence of the Grand Pro- 
tectress. 

“ I think we must,” replied the captain. 

“ We will organize more systematically when we 
have time.” 

“And have a suitable emblem to distinguish the 
members.” 

“The white ribbon must not be discarded,” pro- 
tested Paul, glancing at Grace. 

“ Certainly not ; but we will have a gold anchor, 
say, from which the ribbon shall be suspended,” added 
Shuffles. “ On the anchor shall be engraved the sin- 
gle word Faithful.” 

“ And ‘ Vous ne fouvez pas faire^ &c.,” laughed 
Paul. “ I think we must ask the Grand Protectress 
for a suitable emblem.” 

“You have great confidence in me, and I will give 
the subject faithful consideration,” said Grace. 

“ Our motto is an excellent one, I think,” continued 
Paul. “ To us it will always mean that you cannot 
redress a wrong by resorting to dishonorable meas- 
ures.” 

The conversation was interrupted by the call to 
breakfast. Before the meal was finished, the steamer 
that was to convey the party on shore came along- 
side. By the time she had made fast, and run out her 
planks, the boatswain piped, “ All hands, on deck with 
bags, to go ashore.” The stewards conveyed the bag- 
gage of the Arbuckles on board, and the ship’s com- 
pany marched in single file to the deck of the steam- 
er. There were no turbulent spirits among them, and 
everything was done in order. In due time the party 


210 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


reached the railroad station, and seated themselves in 
the special cars, \vhich had been provided for their 
use. 

The Arbuckles, Dr. Winstock, Paul, and Shuffles 
occupied one compartment of a carriage, and, as usual, 
the pleasant and well-informed surgeon of the ship, 
who had been a very extensive traveller, was a living 
encyclopaedia for the party. The course of the train 
was through Brittany, of which Dr. Winstock had 
much to say. It is a poor country, not unlike Scot- 
land, though it has no high mountains. The lower 
order of the people wear quaint costumes, and have 
hardly changed their manners and customs for three 
hundred years. 

“ Do you see that buildmg in the churchyard? ” said 
the doctor, as he pointed out the window. 

“ What is it — the hearse-house?” asked Paul. 

“ No ; I think they don’t use hearses much here. It 
is a bone-house.” 

“ A what ! ” exclaimed Shuffles. 

“ A bone-house, or reliquaire. The poor people in 
this part of France are very ignorant and superstitious. 
Requiescat in pace^ so far as the mortal remains of 
their dead are concerned, has no meaning to them, 
for they do not let them rest quietly in their graves, as 
we do. After the bodies of the deceased have gone 
to decay, the skulls and bones are removed from the 
coffins, and placed in the bone-house. The names, or 
the initials, of the departed are painted upon the fore- 
head of the skull.” 

“ How horrible ! ” exclaimed Grace. 

“ Doubtless it is so to you ; but to these people it is 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


2II 


an act of affectionate remembrance,” added the doc- 
tor ; “ as sacred and pious as any tribute we render to 
our loved and lost ones.” 

Dr. Winstock continued to describe the various 
places through which the train passed, answering 
the many questions proposed by his interested audi- 
tors. At noon they arrived at Rennes, where the ex- 
cursionists lunched, and some of them, perhaps at the 
expense of the inner man, were enterprising enough 
to see a little of the city, which contains forty thou- 
sand inhabitants, and was the ancient capital of the 
dukedom of Brittany. 

“ This is Laval,” said the doctor, an hour and a 
half after the train left Rennes. 

“ See there ! ” exclaimed Grace, pointing to a man 
clothed in goatskins, the hair outside. “ Is that Rob- 
inson Crusoe?” 

‘‘ No ; that is the fashion for the peasants in this 
part of Brittany. They don’t depend upon Paris for 
the 7node. I suppose you have all heard of the Ven- 
dean war.” 

“ Yes, sir. The people of La Vendee were royal- 
ists, and fought against the republicans as long as 
there was anything left of them,” replied Paul. 

“ La Vendee lies south of the Loire ; but one of 
their greatest battles was fought near Laval, in 1793. 
They conducted themselves with fearful desperation, 
and after the republicans had sent word, as the battle 
waned, to the Convention at Paris, that La Vendee 
was no more, the wounded leader of the insurgents 
was carried through their ranks, and they rallied, 
gaining the day in a decisive victory, by which the 
government troops lost twelve thousand men.” 


212 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


Fifty-Six miles farther brought the excursionists to 
Le Mans, where the Vendean army was finally de- 
stroyed by the forces of General Marceau. The car- 
nage was terrible, and extended even to the massacre 
of many of the wives and children of the royalists. 
An obelisk to the memory of the republican general, 
who was born at Le Mans, informs the reader that he 
was a soldier at sixteen, a general at twenty-three, and 
died when he was twenty-seven. 

At Chartres, forty-seven miles from Paris, the train 
stopped half an hour, and the party had an opportu- 
nity to see the cathedral, the most magnificent in 
France, and one of the most ancient. It is four 
hundred and twenty-five feet long. Henry IV. was 
crowned in it in 1594, for the reason that Rheims, 
where coronations formerly took place, was in pos- 
session of the Leaguers. 

At seven o’clock, the train arrived in Paris, and the 
party hastened to the lodgings which had been en- 
gaged for them. In the evening they attended the 
grand opera, at the invitation of Mr. Arbuckle, and 
the next morning proceeded to Strasburg. After a 
short delay, the party continued the journey, crossing 
the Rhine into Germany, and halting at Ofienburg, a 
small town, where hotel accommodations had been 
bespoken. After supper, the excursionists were col- 
lected in a large room, and Professor Mapps took a 
position in front of them. 

“Young gentlemen, where are we?” he asked. 

“ In Germany.” 

“Very true, but rather indefinite,” added the pro- 
fessor. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 213 

“ In Baden,” said Paul Kendall, who, as usual, had 
taken pains to study up the situation. 

“In the Grand Duchy of Baden.” 

“What is a Grand Duchy?” inquired one of the 
students, who was doubtless bothered, as others have 
been, by the varying titles of the German states. 

“ It is a territory having an independent local govern- 
ment. There is no reason why it should be called a 
Grand Duchy, unless it is because it is larger than a 
simple Duchy, though this rule does not always hold 
good, for the Duchy of Brunswick has double the ter- 
ritory and double the population of the Grand Duchy 
of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The titles of the states seem 
to be entirely arbitrary, and, according to the fancy of 
their rulers, they were called kingdoms, principalities, 
electorates, palatinates, margraviates. Grand Duchies, 
or Duchies. The Grand Duchy of Baden is larger 
than the Kingdom of Saxony. These designations 
have been occasionally changed, as the states in- 
creased in size, or as their rulers desired a grander 
title. In 1803 Baden was a margraviate of one fourth 
its present extent. Napoleon gave the title of Elect- 
or, and afterwards of Grand Duke, to the Margrave 
Charles Frederick, as his territory was increased. 

“ Baden has about six thousand square miles, or is 
about equal in size to Rhode Island and Connecticut 
united. It has a population of one million three hun- 
dred thousand, which has hardly increased during the 
last fifty years, for the reason that so many of its peo- 
ple have emigrated to the United States. The coun- 
try is mountainous, and contains the Schwarzwald. 
What does that mean?” 


214 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ The Black Forest,” replied several. 

“ A mountainous region, which has been the para- 
dise of story-tellers. The highest peak is the Feld- 
berg, forty-six hundred and fifty feet high. Its princi- 
pal river is the Rhine, which forms its western and 
southern boundary, and has many branches in this 
country. The Neckar is the largest, crossing Baden 
in the north. The river which you observed in this 
place is the Kinzig. The Danube, which the Ger- 
mans call the Donau, rises in Baden. In the south- 
east the country borders on Lake Constance, or, in 
German, Boden See. The climate is salubrious, but 
it is cold in the mountains, where they have snow 
during the greater part of the year. 

“ Baden is divided into four circles, or provinces, 
which are again divided into bailiwicks, or counties, 
and communes, or towns. Two thirds of the people 
are Roman Catholics ; the rest are Protestant, with a 
sprinkling of Jews, who are found in all parts of Ger- 
many. There is a Catholic university at Freiburg, 
and a Protestant one at Heidelberg, which is so cele- 
brated that it has not a few American students. There 
are two thousand common schools, and several estab- 
lishments of higher grade. 

“ The government is an hereditary constitutional 
monarchy, the Grand Duke being the sovereign. It 
has a legislative body, composed of two chambers, 
the upper of which consists of the nobility and mem- 
bers appointed by the Grand Duke, and the lower of 
sixty-eight deputies, chosen indirectly by the people. 
But I do not think it is necessary to describe, at any 
great length, these small German states, and I give 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 215 

you Baden as a specimen of what most of them 
are.” 

The next morning the company took the train foi 
Freiburg, and in a couple of hours reached their des- 
tination, where they immediately divided themselves 
into small parties, in order to see the cathedral, or min- 
ster, and other sights, within the allotted time. Those 
who travelled in the same compartment of the rail- 
way carriage usually came together on these occa- 
sions for the same reason that united them on the 
road. Paul Kendall zealously placed himself at the 
side of Grace, though she was as impartial as a just 
judge between him and the captain of the ship. 

The minster is a Gothic church, and almost the only 
one in Germany which is actually finished. It was com- 
menced in the twelfth century, and one of the princes 
of Zahringen, from whom the present Grand Duke is 
descended, contributed largely to the vast expense ; 
but it would probably have been unfinished, like many 
similar grand structures, if the people of Freiburg had 
not taxed themselves to the utmost, and made great 
sacrifices to insure its completion. The spire is of 
beautiful fret-work, nearly four hundred feet high. 
The interior is grand, and something about it gives the 
beholder a peculiar feeling of solemnity — perhaps the 
thought that men have worshipped there for six hundred 
years. It contains some choice paintings, which are 
carefully cherished as the productions of the old mas- 
ters. A glance at the university, the Kaufhaus, the 
statue of Schwarz, the inventor of gunpowder, and a 
walk around the Schlossberg^ or Castle Hill, which 
commands a splendid view of the Black Forest Moun- 


2i6 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


tains, exhausted the place, and at the time appointed 
the party reassembled at the railroad station, where 
Mr. Arbuckle had gathered together half a dozen dili- 
gences, in which the company were to proceed to 
Schafl'hausen, in Switzerland. He knew how much 
interest the story-readers feel in the Black Forest, and 
as the party had already visited Basle, he proposed to 
take his charge across the country, which would ena- 
ble them to see some of the finest mountain scenery 
in Germany, and more of the manners and customs 
of the people than could be observed in the large 
towns on the railroad. He had already sent forward 
his courier to make preparations for the accommoda^ 
tion of his party. 

Two days were to be occupied in reaching the 
Rhine. The first part of the journey was over a level 
plain highly cultivated. The road soon begins to 
ascend ; and this locality is called Hiinmeh'eich^ or 
Heaven, to distinguish it by contrast from the Hollen- 
thal^ or Valley of Hell, a deep and romantic gorge 
which lies beyond. The students enjoyed the scenery, 
and those who were disposed, walked for miles up the 
long hills, to the great satisfaction of the driver. The 
students of the German language had abundant op- 
portunities to practise their gutturals, and none but 
sufferers know what a pleasure it is to have a genuine 
native understand their sentences. 

The' pedestrians made brief halts at the water-mills, 
houses, and fields on the way, and were invariably 
treated with the utmost kindness and consideration. 
“ gehen sie mir ein Glas Wasser^' was re- 

peated 80 many times that all understood it. The fiict 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


217 


that they were Americans insured them a warm wel- 
come, and many an inquiry was made for “ incinem 
Sohn in Amerika.” The “ walkists ” enjoyed this in- 
tercourse with the people so much that they walked till 
they were unnecessarily fatigued. 

“ geben sie mir Geld^^' said a German, step- 

ping up to the carriage which contained Dr. Win- 
stock, and those who were so careful to keep near him. 

He was a young man, with a big pipe in his mouth, 
a big stick in his hand, and a big knapsack on his 
back. He was pretty well dressed, and was in com- 
pany with three others, who asked for money in like 
manner of different persons of the party. The doctor 
asked him a few questions, and then gave him two or' 
three kreutzers, which he accepted witli many tlianks. 

“ Those are very respectable beggars,” said Paul, as 
the man left the diligence. 

“They are not beggars, but handwerksbzirscheny 
“ What are they?” 

“ Travelling journeymen. No apprentice can ob- 
tain his freedom, and be competent to set up in 
business for himself, till he has spent several years in 
travelling, and in working at his trade in foreign 
countries. This is to increase his knowledge and his 
skill, and you will see hundreds of them on the roads 
all over Germany. They become, under this system, 
very skilful workmen, for they learn the various meth- 
ods of work in different countries. They often under- 
stood two or three languages besides their own. They 
keep a kind of diary of their travels in a book furnished 
to them by the ti'ade-society to which they belong, in 
which also their employers write testimonials of their 


2i8 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


good conduct. It is often the case that they cannot 
obtain work, and are compelled to ask charity on the 
roads. It is a hard life to lead, but it produces skib 
ful mechanics.” 

“ What was that man’s trade? ” asked Grace. 

“ He is a baker.” 

At a solitary inn in Steig the party found a dinner 
ready for them, consisting mainly of trout, which were 
very nice. From this point the road went up a steep 
hill, which required an extra horse to each diligence, 
though most of the boys walked up. At Neustadt, a 
town of fifteen hundred inhabitants, vast numbers of 
wooden clocks are manufactured, and the raising of 
singing birds is a common occupation. Just before sun- 
set the excursionists arrived at Donaueschingen, where 
they were to spend the night. The place contains 
about three thousand inhabitants, and is the residence 
of Prince Fiirstenberg, who was one of the mediatized 
sovereigns — his territory having by treaty been as- 
signed to Baden. 

A walk to his palace was immediately taken by 
the tourists. It is a plain modern edifice, with an ex- 
tensive garden, which the travellers were permitted to 
visit. In one corner a circular basin was pointed out 
to them by their guide. The water, clear as crystal, 
bubbled up from a spring in the bottom, and was con- 
veyed from the basin, by an underground tunnel, into 
the Briegach, a stream which flows down from the 
mountains. 

“ This spring is said to be the source of the Dan- 
ube,” said Dr. Winstock. “From this point the 
stream takes the name of Danube, though that into 
whicn it flows comes from miles away.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 219 

“ ‘ Large streams from little fountains flow,’ ” replied 
Paul. 

“ Yes ; and from a great many of them,” added th© 
surgeon. “ The country in this vicinity is like a 
sponge, it is so full of springs, which feed the great 
river. The Neckar rises a few miles north of us. 
We are, therefore, on the summit of the water-shed 
of Europe ; for of two drops of rain which fall side 
by side near us, one may find its way into the Dan- 
ube, and be carried down to the Black Sea, while the 
other, by the Neckar and the Rhine, may reach the 
North Sea.” 

The students wandered about the town till it was 
too dark to see anything, and most of them were tired 
enough to sleep, even under the feather beds which 
the Germans insist upon using as a coverlet. In the 
morning the journey was renewed in the diligences. 
The scenery was still very fine, and from the top of a 
high hill called the Rande, the students obtained a 
splendid view of the mountains of Switzerland, of 
the broad expanse of Lake Constance, and the towers 
of the city. Descending the long hill, the tourists en- 
tered Switzerland, and at five o’clock were set down 
at the Schweitzer Hof in Schaffhausen, near the falls. 

The students had been riding so long that they were 
glad to be at liberty again, and hastened into the hotel 
gardens, which extend down to the river. It was rather 
late to visit the falls, and the company were piped to- 
gether around a kind of kiosk, in which Professor 
Mapps presented himself. 

“ Do not be alarmed, young gentlemen,” said the 
instructor, good-naturedly. “I will not detain you 


220 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


long, but I am reminded tliat I have not given you the 
Rhine in detail. Here on its banks, and in sight of 
its grandest cataract, I will say a few words to you 
about it. The river rises in two small lakes in the 
mountains near St. Gothard, seventy-five hundred feet 
above the sea. It descends four thousand feet in 
going twelve miles. Fifty miles from its source, at 
Reicherau, it is two hundred and fifty feet wide, and 
becomes navigable for river boats. Its volume of 
waters is continually increased by the flow from its 
branches, till it discharges itself into Lake Con- 
stance, which may be regarded as a widening of the 
river. 

“ The lake is forty-four miles long and nine miles 
wide. Its greatest depth is nine hundred and sixty- 
four feet. Its waters are dark-green in color, and very 
clear. Twenty-five diflerent kinds of fish are men- 
tioned as caught in the lake. It is navigated by steam- 
ers, eight or ten of which ply between the various 
ports, and carry on considerable commerce. It is 
thirteen hundred and forty-four feet above the level of 
the sea. 

“ The Rhine issues from the lake at Constance, and, 
flowing a few miles westward, again expands into the 
Unter See, which is thirt)^ feet lower than the upper 
lake. It gradually contracts till the stream is about 
three hundred feet wide at this point. Steamers for- 
merly ran from Constance to Schaffhausen ; but since 
the completion of the railroad they have discontinued 
their trips. The falls which you see, and will visit 
on Monday morning, are seventy feet high. Below 
the cataract the river is navigable for boats with- 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


221 


out obstacles as far as Laufenburg, where its width is 
reduced to fifty feet, and its waters rush down a series 
of rapids. Here boats ascend and descend by the aid 
of ropes, after their cargoes have been discharged. At 
this place the young Lord Montague, the last male of 
his line, was drowned while his boat was descending 
the rapids in this manner. On the same day his fam- 
ily mansion in England was destroyed by fire. From 
this point to Basle the fall is only fifty feet. 

“ From Basle to Mayence, a distance of tv/o hun- 
dred miles, the Rhine flows in a northerly direction. 
The current is very swift as far as Strasburg, to which 
place it is navigable for vessels of one hundred tons, 
though they are “ tracked ” by horses on the upward 
passage. The bed of the river is wide in this part, 
and contains numerous islands. At Mayence the 
course of the river changes to west, and again at 
Bingen to the north-west, where the mountains again 
force it into a narrow channel ; and for fifty miles 
the stream flows through a beautiful region, where the 
hills extend to its very banks, and many of their sum- 
mits are crowned with old castles. Below Cologne, 
the Rhine runs through a low and flat country. The 
lower part of the river I have already described in 
Holland.” 

The professor finished his brief lecture, and the 
party spent the rest of the day in wandering about the 
garden, and in watching the flow of the mighty river, 
as it tumbled over the precipice. The next day was 
Sunday, and the excursionists attended church at the 
town three miles distant. On Monday morning the 
tourists crossed the bridge, and hastened to the garden 


222 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


of the Castle of Lauffen, where were platforms, sta- 
gings and kiosks, for the convenience of visitors, which 
afford the best views of the cataract. One of these 
balconies projects out over the fall, and the party gath- 
ered on this, and beclouded with mist and spray, gazed 
at the wild rush of waters. Two rocks on the preci- 
pice separate the cataract into three divisions. Below 
is a semi-circular basin, whose waters are lashed into 
a heavy sea by the plunging torrent which falls into 
it. Boats ply between the foot of the rock on which 
the Castle of Laufen stands and a square tower on the 
opposite shore. These light craft make heavy weather 
of it, but with ordinary caution they are safe enough. 

There was nothing else to see at Schaflfhausen, and 
the excursionists took the train for Constance. The 
last portion of the trip was on the banks of the Un- 
ter See, separated from the main body of the lake by 
a peninsula. The ride was less than two hours, and 
the party reached the “ Goldener Adler” in time for 
dinner. Most of the Swiss hotels serve two or three 
dinners, table d'hote^ every day, the first being at 
one, and the last at five o’clock, the prices of which 
are from three to five francs. 

“ Young gentlemen, in what country is Constance?” 
asked Professor Mapps, when the party had assem- 
bled to visit the objects of interest in the town. 

“ In Switzerland.” 

“ No.” 

“ We certainly crossed the Rhine on an iron bridge, 
when we came into the place,” replied one of the stu- 
dents. 

“That is very true, but Constance belongs to the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 223 

Grand Duchy of Baden. It was formerly a free city, 
but was annexed to Austria in 1549, and ceded to Ba- 
den in 1805. It once had forty thousand inhabitants, 
but now has only eight thousand. It is a very old 
city, as you may judge from the buildings you have al- 
ready seen, many of which are just as they were four 
hundred years ago. “ The town is of great historical 
interest.” 

“What was the Council of Constance, sir?” asked 
one of the students. 

“ I will tell you when we visit the Kaufhaus,” re- 
plied the professor. 

Attended by several guides, the excursionists walked 
to the minster, a Gothic structure founded in the 
eleventh century, but rebuilt in the sixteenth. The 
guides indicated the spot where Huss stood when sen- 
tenced to be burned to death. From this church the 
party went to the Kaufhaus. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OH 


CHAPTER XIV, 


THE STORM ON LAKE CONSTANCE. 

HE Kaufhaus is situated near the border of the 



1 lake. It was built for a warehouse in 138S. 
The party were conducted immediately to a large 
room with wooden pillars. 

“ This is the Kaufhaus, and this apartment is the 
one in which the Council of Constance held its ses- 
sions,” said Mr. Mapps. 

“What’s a Kaufhaus?” asked one of the boys who 
did not study German. 

“ What does Kaufen mean?” 

“ To buy.” 

“ Then it is a buy-housQ. It is a company’s hall, like 
Goldsmiths’ Hall, Fishmongers’, and others in Lon- 
don. The Council of Constance assembled in 1414, and 
continued iio sessions for three years and a half. It 
was called to regulate the affairs of the Catholic 
Church, especially in regard to the schism caused by 
some of the popes taking up their abode in Avig- 
non, France. Gregory XI. went from the residence 
of his immediate predecessors to Rome in 1377, 
where he died the next year. The Romans wanted a 
native of their own city to be pope. An Italian — 
Urban VI. — was elected by the cardinals ; but, as he 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


225 


was not a Roman, there was much dissatisfaction. 
The French cardinals protested against the election, 
and created Robert of Geneva pope, under the titleof 
Clement VII., who established himself at Avignon. 
Urban had three successors, the last of whom was 
Gregory XII. The Avignon pope was followed by 
Benedict XIII., who maintained his claim to the papal 
chair till his death in 1424. 

“ There were two popes : the church was divided, 
and in doubt as to which was the rightful successor of 
St. Peter. Gregory declared, at his accession, that 
he would resign if Benedict at Avignon would do the 
same. An attempt was made to get rid of both of 
them, so that they could agree upon a third. The 
Council of Pisa deposed both, and elected Alexan- 
der V. Benedict refused to vacate his chair ; and 
Gregory retained his position because his rival re- 
fused to compromise. Instead of getting rid of one, 
the church had now three popes who claimed the 
chair. Alexander died in 1410; and his successor, 
John XXIII., called the Council of Constance. It was 
not a meeting of bisho^DS merely, but was attended by 
cardinals, archbishops, ambassadors of kings, knights, 
and delegates from universities. John presided at the 
first session, and was invited to resign the pontifical 
office. He promised to do so if Gregory and Bene- 
dict would do the same ; but the next night he fled 
secretly to Schafl’hausen, and from thence to Freiburg. 
After much trouble, negotiations were opened with 
him, and he resigned his office. He was afterwards 
thrown into prison with Huss. Gregory was a good 
man, and gave the council no trouble, and for the 

15 


226 


DOWN THE. RHINE, OR 


sake of peace yielded up liis high office. But Bene- 
dict was obdurate to the end, claiming to be pope, 
even after all his followers had forsaken him. The 
council attempted to make terms with him ; but when 
he refused to yield, it condemned and deposed him, 
electing Martin V. to the papal chair. 

“ The council also gave its attention to the heresy 
of Wycliffie, whose doctrines it condemned, command- 
ing that his books should be burned, and decreeing 
that his remains should be disinterred and burned. 
Huss was condemned to the stake ; and his disciple, 
Jerome of Prague, having retracted his anti-Catholic 
doctrines, and then relapsed, shared his fate a year 
afterwards.” 

In the hall are the chairs occupied, at the sittings 
of the council, by the Emperor Sigismund and by the 
pope ; a model of the dungeon in which Huss was 
confined, with the real door and other parts which had 
been preserved, and the car on which the reformer 
was drawn to the place of execution. The house in 
which he lodged is pointed out in one of the streets. 
The field wherein he suffered, with the spot where 
the stake stood, is shown to those who are curious 
enough to visit it. 

The students examined the quaint old buildings in 
Ihe town with much interest. In the middle of the af- 
ternoon, they embarked in the steamer for Friedrichs- 
hafen. The weather had been warm and oppres- 
sive, for the season, for the last two days ; and there 
/vere strong indications of a change. A barometer at 
the hotel in Constance indicated an unusual depres- 
sion. The students dreaded a stQrm of long continu- 







I 








YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 

ance, they were so impatient to see the wonders which 
were yet in store for them ; and the idea of being shut 
up in a small hotel, for two or three days, was not 
pleasant in the anticipation, whatever it might prove 
to be in reality. 

By the time the steamer was half way to her desti- 
nation, the wind began to come in fitful gusts, increas- 
ing in force, till the captain of the steamer wore a 
rather anxious expression on his face. The young 
salts laughed at the idea of a fresh-water tempest ; 
and if anybody else was alarmed, they were not. 
The steamer began to tumble about ; but nothing seri- 
ous occurred, though some of the lady passengers 
were sea sick. Others, who had never seen a storm 
at sea, w'ere frightened, and screamed every time the 
boat gave a heavy lurch. 

“ Do you think there is any danger. Commodore 
Kendall,” asked Grace, thrilled by the cries of the 
females. 

“ I don’t see how there can be. If this boat is good 
for anything, she ought to ride out one of these fresh- 
water gales,” replied Paul. 

“ It is going to be a fearful storm.” 

“ I should think it would be, from the indications 
of the barometer.” 

“ Do you see that boat, Paul?” said Shuffles, point- 
ing to one of the Swiss small craft, which was labor- 
ing heavily in the billows. 

“ She is making bad weather of it,” added Paul, as 
he examined the position of the storm-tossed craft.. 

“ The boatman don’t seem to know w hat he is 
about,” continued Shuffles, who had for some time 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


^28 

been studying the movements of the boat. “ She 
lowered her sail a while ago, and she seems to be roll- 
ing at the mercy of the waves.” 

The steamer was headed towards her, and the party 
on board of her soon discovered that the boatman was 
trying to put a reef in his sail. Besides himself, the 
boat contained a lady. 

“ I suppose that is a vSwiss boatman,” said Shuffles. 
“ If he is, he knows no more about a boat than a 
mountaineer who never saw one.” 

“ That’s so,” added Paul, anxiously. 

“ He has put her before the wind, and is trying to 
lioist his mainsail.” 

A fierce gust struck the canvas, as he began to hoist 
it, carrying out the boom, and whirling the boat up into 
the wind. Certainly the person on board of her had 
pluck enough ; for he stuck to the halyards, though he 
was nearly jerked overboard by the sudden pitching 
and rolling of the craft. Recovering the sheet which 
had run out into the water, he took his place at the 
helm. Pie flattened dowm the sail, when the flaw had 
spent its force, and headed his boat towards Friedrichs- 
hafcn. The next gust that struck the sail carried her 
down so that the water poured in over her lee rail 
by the barrel. The lady screamed lustily ; and the 
tones of her voice indicated that she did not belong to 
the Swiss peasantry. 

“ Help ! Help I ” she shrieked ; and her voice 
thrilled the souls of all on board the steamer. 

“ Cannot something be done?” cried Grace. 

“ I don’t see what can be done,” replied Paul. 

“ The boatman is a fool ! ” said Shuffles, impa' 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 22<J 

tiently. “ Why don’t he let out his sheet, or luflf 
her up?” 

“Can’t you do something?” pleaded Grace, ear 
nestly, as she clung to the railing over the cabin 
ladder. 

“Help! Help!” shouted the boatman, in good 
English ; and it was plain that he was not a Swiss. 

Indeed, the lady and gentleman could now be seen 
plainly enough to ascertain that they were English or 
American. Both of them were well dressed, and 
both were quite young. 

“We can launch the steamer’s boat, if the captain 
will let us,” suggested Paul. 

The wind threw the boat round at this moment, and 
the sail shook violently in the blast. Then it filled 
again, and drove her directly into the path of the 
steamer, which was now close aboard of her. 

“ Stop her ! Stop her ! ” shouted several persons, 
in French and German. 

The captain gave the order to stop the engine ; but 
it was doubtful whether it was given in season to save 
the unfortunate couple in the boat. Paul and Shufflesj 
rushed to the bow of the steamer, and the latter 
climbed upon the rail just as the mast of the boat 
swayed over against the stem. He seized it, and 
nimbly slid down into the craft. As the steamer was 
running nearly against the wind, her headway was 
easily checked by a turn or two of the wheels back- 
ward ; though the boat bumped pretty hard against 
the steamer once or twice. 

Shuffles evidently believed that skilful management 
alone could save the sail-boat, and the lives of those 


230 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


^ who were in her. His mission, as he understood it, 
was to supply this needed skill. The steamer had 
only a single boat on deck, which was so dried up by 
the sun, that none of the salt-water tars believed it 
would float.’ She had only a single pair of oars, and 
it would be impossible to make any headway against 
the gale in it. The captain declared that he could 
only save the imperilled voyagers by running along- 
side their boat, and taking them out of it : he could v 
do nothing by sending his jolly-boat after them. ^ 

By excellent good fortune, the steamer was checked' 
at the right moment ; though Shuffles supposed the 
boat would be stove, and he only got into her for the 
purpose of assisting the young lady. The captain 
backed his vessel so that she left the craft alone again. 
But the bold commander of the Young America was 
not dismayed by the situation. He instantly let go 
the halyards, and secured the 'sail as it came down. 
He glanced at the trembling lady, who crouched in 
the stern to save her head from the threshing of the 
boom. Grasping one of the oars, he pulled the boat 
around till she lay head to the wind. She was almost 
water-logged, and he saw that it was necessaiy' to re- 
lieve her of some of this extra weight before she could 
be manageable. 

“Won’t they save us?” gasped the lady, glancing 
at the steamer, whieh was drifting rapidly away from 
them. 

“ Don’t be alarmed, miss,” said Shuffles, as he seized 
a kind of tub which was filled with fish-lines and other 
angling gear. 

“What shall I do?” asked the young man, whose 


\ 



The Adventure on Lake Constance. - ■ Page 227. 









s^r- %v >* ■' 

i r-* 











1 ■* 


.♦ • 


'4 ^.i-'-" '-f^ 

.*r^ 'S ? I 

^ *.*•''' ’ -- .ir'»44 





Nf 


t- 


'.I* ^ - *j,..’ «* • ■■ ..■ ? 

' L 

* . 


♦ *- f 

* ' - ri 



•ri - ir^ * 


Lit 


^■VV 






-o 


\* 




?.Vi. 

•r 


> / 4 h* 






• >- • » 7 -' ^-r-’u- Y ; ■■■ .' 

‘■-i^ -^ ' ■ • -^ ~4 '.u?^ ^JiML't'jM*' 

-: .-/'I-?: "N -- 






f S> j-* 
1 * 





:?P 


Cl-. ' ■ .. * ;'=i?iii^*'’“ ■‘-^s. 


^ :;tr 



■^:' .* • ■ V> i ■ ^ A • 










-"». • i • 


; . "'• JSBC« 

p V 4 ^ T* • ^ ' * • - i7* t i * ^ ^ 

* t*" ^ ^■rSfc'^/' M 2 “V V 



* ./ * -i' .:i 4 >-’:?'?* 

€2f- ■ v 

" '■ Hii4te::;!^;-^S'*' 



•_--r 


« ' T- 


rrji 











.> I 




>>] 0 ^ 5 ^' 






YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 2^t 

pluck had by this time become quite exhausted in hi# 
vain battle with the elements. 

“Can you pull an oar?” demanded Shuffles, rathef 
sharply, of the clumsy boatman. 

“ I can.” 

“ Take this one, then, and keep her head as it is 
now.” 

The young man took the oar, and pulled as he was 
directed ; and Shuffles went to work vigorously with 
the tub, in throwing out the water. He labored so 
diligently and effectually, that in a few moments he 
had relieved the boat of the great burden of water 
within her. While he did so, he gave the young man 
such directions as enabled him to keep the craft poised 
with her head to the fierce gusts that beat upon her. 
In this position she rose and fell on the great billows, 
and shipped very little water. The steamer had started 
her wheels again ; but while she did not venture very 
near the boat, she lay by to render assistance if the 
latter were swamped. The lady, finding that the frail 
craft, under her present management, behaved very 
well, sorely as she was tried by the tempest, was en- 
couraged. 

“Can I do anything?” she asked, in soft notes, 
though they were still shaken by her fears. 

“ No, miss : if you will only keep perfectly still, I 
can take care of her.” 

“ Here is a basin,” said she, holding up the imple- 
ment. “ Shall I throw the water out of her?” 

“If you please,” answered Shuffles, willing to en- 
courage her; for even the belief that one is doing 
some good, in an emergency, assists in quieting one’s 
fears. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


232 

She went to work with a zeal which indicated a 
strong will, and if she did not accomplish as much as 
she wished to do, it was only because the uneasy toss- 
ing of the boat defeated her good intentions. 

“ Steady ! ” said Shuffles, to the young man at the 
oar. “ You heave her round so that she will take the 
wind on the other hand. Now pull away with all 
your might ! ” he added, as the boat began to fall off. 

“ Are we going to stay here all night?” asked the 
other, who was nearly exhausted by the violence of 
his efforts to keep her head up to the blast. 

“No, no!” replied Shuffles, impatiently, as he put 
out the other oar, and assisted his companion, when the 
boat was in danger of catching the wind on her beam. 
“ I will get sail on her in a few moments.” 

In the lull of the blast, the young commander over- 
hauled the sail, and corrected the non-nautical reefing 
of his companion. 

“Now, mind your 03^0 1 ” shouted Shuffles, as he 
grasped the halyards. 

“What shall I do?” 

“ Pull away ! ” 

“ I’m losing my wind,” gasped the sufferer, who 
had reall}’^ struggled with the oar till his exertions and 
excitement had nearly disabled him. 

“ Pull away for half a minute more,” replied Shuf- 
fles, as he ran up the main-sail, which beat and thrashed 
fearfull3' in the gale. 

Having secured the halyards, the new skipper sprang 
to the helm, and seized the main sheet. Placing the 
lady on the weather side, he seated himself on the 
rail, with the sheet in his right hand, and the tiller in 
his left. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


233 


“ Now let her go it ! ” he shouted to the young man. 
“Jump up to windward, and keep your weather eye 
open ! ” 

The weary oarsman was glad to be relieved from 
his exhausting task, and promptly obeyed the order. 
Shuffles had put two reefs in the sail ; but without the 
most skilful handling, the boat could not carry even 
this short canvas in such a fierce tempest. It was 
not such a sea as rages in a storm upon the ocean, but 
it was altogether too rough for any ordinary boat. It 
was not a long, bounding, rolling billow, but a short, 
angry wave, that tried the timbers of the Swiss boat. 
As soon as the rower ceased his occupation, the head 
of the craft fell oft', the sail filled, and she careened 
down to the gunwale. 

“We shall certainly tip over!” gasped the lady, 
clinging to the rail. 

“ Don’t be afraid, miss. This boat behaves very 
handsomely, and is stiff enough to weather a gale,” 
added Shuffles,' confidently, as the little vessel leaped 
upon one of the snappy, snarling billows, and then 
plunged down into the trough of the sea. 

“ I never was terrified in a boat before,” said she, 
shaking with alarm. 

“ It is a heavy storm, and not just the weather for a 
lady to be out in. Don’t be frightened, miss. The 
boat is doing very well under her double reefs, and 
she will weather it, if you only believe in her.” 

There came another tremendous gust, which seemed 
to strike the boat like a blow from an immense sledge- 
hammer ; and she bent down under it till her rail was 
buried in the foaming waters. Shuffles “ touched 


^34 


DOWN the: RHINE:, OR 


her up” a little, and let out the sheet till the sail shook 
in the blast. The boat righted, and for a moment had 
a partial respite from the savage pounding of the tem- 
pest. The young man, who clung to the w'eather rail 
with a tenacity which indicated that he had not yet 
recovered his self-possession, glanced ahead, and then 
at the steamer, whose course now diverged from that 
of the sail-boat, and the two craft were increasing 
their distance from each other. 

“ We wish to go to Friedrichshafen,” said he, ap- 
parently troubled by the discovery he had made. 

“ So do I,” replied Shuffles, quietly, without taking 
his eye from the sail. 

“ This will not bring us there,” added the ex- 
skipper. 

“Any port in a storm,” said the gallant helmsman. 
“ If I let the boat fall off enough to lay a course for 
Friedrichshafen, she will fill in the twinkling of an 
eye.” 

“ I don’t see why she should,” added the young 
man, evidently not satisfied with the action of the 
new skipper. 

“ I think you ought to see it, after you have half 
filled the boat yourself on that tack. Don’t you un- 
derstand that it would throw the boat into the trough 
of the sea, and make her roll? Look at that steamer. 
I am not sure that she will not be obliged to throw 
her head up into it, and lay too for a while.” 

“ Pray do just as you think best, sir,” interposed 
the lady. 

“ That is what I intend to do, miss. Really there 
is only one thing you can do when it blows like this 
— keep her head up to it.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


235 


Again it was necessary for Shuffles to use all his 
skill and strength, as the heavy gusts were repeated, 
to prevent the boat from fdling. Easing off the sheet, 
and crowding her up into the wind, the boat weath- 
ered another shock, and then had another brief respite. 
The spray dashed in the fierce blast like hailstones 
into the face and eyes of the intrepid captain, and he 
was nearly blinded by the charge. His hands were 
full, holding the tiller and the sheet. Securing the 
latter with his knee, he tried to take his handkerchief 
from his pocket, to wipe the water from his eyes. 
But a jerk of the boat compelled him to grasp the 
helm suddenly, and the wind carried away the hand- 
kerchief like a feather. 

“ My eyes are full of spray,” said he, without even 
glancing at the flight of the lost article. 

“ You have lost your handkerchief,” replied the 
young lady, tenderly. “ Pray take mine.” 

“ I am obliged to use both hands. May I trouble 
you to wipe the water from my eyes? I can hardly 
see, I am so blinded.” 

The young lady promptly complied with the request, 
and holding on to the rail with her left hand, she wiped 
the water from the captain’s eyes. 

“ Thank you,” said he, greatly relieved by the act. 

“ Let me change seats with you, Feodora,” inters 
posed the young man. “ Perhaps I may be able to 
assist in working the boat.” 

“ Sit still ! Don’t move ! ” shouted Shuffles, sternly. 

“ I only wish to help you,” replied the other. 

“ You will help me most by keeping entirely still,” 
answered Shuffles, as another fierce blast struck the 


236 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


sail, and reqLiired the skipper’s whole attention. Again ^ 

the cutting spray blinded him, though, as any other ^ 

skilful boatman can, he was able to comprehend by 
the feeling the motion of the boat. J 

“ Shall I wipe your eyes again?” asked the young ?■ 

lady. i 

“ If you please.” ' M 

Gently, her eyes beaming with interest and sympa- ; | 

thy, the lady wiped the dro^DS of water from his eyes. 

Though her companion said nothing, he did not seem J 

to regard the operation with much favor. Very likely 
he thought it was quite unnecessary to wipe the skip- 


pcr’s eyes at every fresh gust. Again he proposed to - 

change places with her ; but Shuffles peremptorily for- ^ 

bade the movement, either because he thought the J 

young lady could wipe his eyes better than the young 
man, or because he was afraid some accident would 
happen in making the change. 1 

The storm rather increased than diminished in vio- 


lence, and for an hour Shuffles held on his course. 
The steamer had gone into Friedrichshafen, though 
she had been obliged, in some of the fiercest blasts, to 
throw her head up into the wind, and hold on till 
its fierceness subsided a little. After every gust, the 
young lady wij^ed the eyes of her gallant preserver, 
for as such she regarded him ; and such he doubtless 
was, for the boat would have gone to the bottom long 
before without his skilful assistance. ' She soon learned 
to iDerform the kindly office without a word, though 
the captain did not fail to thank her every time. 

The boat did not make rapid progress ; by keeping 
her close-hauled, continually easing off the sheet, and 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


237 


touching her up, she made considerable lee way. At 
the end of two hours, and wlien it was beginning to 
grow dark. Shuffles found himself nearing the shore 
on the north side of the lake. He must either make 
a harbor or go about on the other tack. It was im- 
possible to land on the exposed shore, against which 
the waves were beating in the madness of their fury. 
He was at least ten miles above the port to which he 
and his passenger wished to go. Directly ahead of 
him was a point of land, which projected out into the 
lake. Beyond it there was an indentation in the shore, 
within which he might possibly find a partial shelter 
from the fury of the storm. It was doubtful whether 
he could weather the point ; but he did not wish to 
tack, and stand farther out into the lake. Tlie night 
was coming on, and all his skill and courage could 
not insure the safety of the boat in the darkness and 
on unknown waters. 

Hauling in the sheet a little, he braced the craft 
sharp up, and struggled with the elements to clear the 
headland. He looked anxiously into the green waters 
for any shoals on the lee bow. Fortunately there was 
no obstruction in his path, and the boat weathered the 
headland, though without the fraction of a point to 
spare. Easing ofT the sheet, he ran the boat into the 
bay, and in a few moments she was slightly sheltered 
by the shore to the eastward. This friendly relief 
enabled him to keep her away a little, and run for 
the head of the bay, where he perceived an opening, 
which looked like the mouth of a river. 

No longer cramped by the helm and the sheet, 
the boat flew on her course, and Shuffles presently 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


238 

satisfied himself that the opening he saw was really 
the mouth of a stream. lie realized that the battle 
had been fought and won, but he said nothing to his 
fellow voyagers, who were silent and anxious. On 
sped the boat, and as the waves became less furious, 
he gave her more sheet, and she darted into the still 
waters of the river, which was not more than a hun- 
dred feet wide, and with banks high enough to aflbrd 
perfect protection to the storm-shaken craft. As she 
rushed into the quiet stream. Shuffles let go the sheet, 
and the boat gradually lost her headway. Putting the 
helm down, he ran her gently upon the shore, and the 
grating of her keel upon the gravelly bank was sweet 
music to the ears of the voyagers. 

“You are all right now,” said Shuffles, as he rose 
from his seat in the stern sheets. 

Almost for the first time since he boarded the sail- 
boat, he looked into the face of the young lady. Her 
clothing was thoroughly drenched by the spray, and 
her face was moist as though she were a mermaid 
just emerged from the depths of the ocean. But 
even in her present plight Shuffles saw that she was a 
very pretty girl. She was shivering with cold, and it 
was necessary to do something for her comfort. 

“ We are really safe,” replied the lad}^ with a grate- 
ful smile. “We owe our lives to you, sir.” 

“ We are exceedingly grateful to you for your ser- 
vice,” added the young man. 

“ I am very glad to have had an opportunity to serve 
you,” replied Shuffles, addressing his words to the 
young lady. 

“ I shall remember you, and be grateful to you as 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


239 


long as I live,” continued the lady, warmly, as she 
bestowed upon him an earnest look, which a skilful 
observer would have interpreted as one of admiration. 

“ But where are we?” asked the young man. 

“ I don’t know, except that we must be ten or u 
dozen miles to the eastward of Friedrichshafen,” an. 
swered Shuffles. 

“ What shall we do?” asked his male companion. 

“ There are probably houses not far distant. You 
had better go on shore, and when you see one, let us 
know it.” 

“ Perhaps you would prefer to go,” suggested the 
young man, glancing at the lady. 

“ Having worked hard in the boat, I prefer to rest a 
little while,” replied Shuffles. 

“ Go, Sir William,” added the lady, reproachfully. 

Sir William ! Captain Shuffles was rather taken 
aback to find he had been sending a young baronet to 
look for a house ; but then he regarded himself as the 
peer of any baronet, and he did not apologize. 

Sir William leaped over the bow of the boat to the 
shore, and climbed up the bank. He* cast a glance 
back at the companions of his. voyage, and then dis- 
appeared. 

“ I think you must be a sailor, sir,” said the young 
lady, when her friend had gone. 

“ I am, miss. I am ; at least I ought to be, since I 
am the captain of a ship.” 

“ A captain — and so young ! O, I know what you 
are ! ” exclaimed she. “ You belong to the American 
Academy Ship.” 

“I do.” 


240 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ But I did not see you at the emperor’s ball in 
Paris.” 

“ No. I was absent on duty.” 

“ I had the pleasure of dancing with a captain on 
that occasion.” 

“ I was appointed on the first of this month,” ex- 
plained Shuffles. 

“ I know your uniform very well ; and I am glad 
to see you. I am sure you are worthy of your high 
position.” 

“ Thank you, miss. You are very kind.” 

“ I should have been at the bottom of Lake Con- 
stance at this moment, if you had been less gallant and 
skilful.” 

“ Perhaps not,” replied Shuffles, wondering all the 
time who the young lady was. 

The hail of'Sir William from the bank above inter- 
rupted the conversation. The boat had grounded a 
rod from the bank of the stream, and Shuffles gallant- 
ly bore the fair passenger to the shore in his arms. 
Assisting her up the bank, the party soon reached a 
cottage a short distance from the mouth of the river. 
The young nobleman imperiously ordered great fires 
and refreshments. He spoke German fluently, and 
his commands were promptly obeyed. The rain now 
poured down in floods, and the party congratulated 
themselves upon escaping this added discomfort. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


241 


CHAPTER XV. 

LADY FEODORA AND SIR WILLIAM. 

H our after hour the storm-beaten party sat before 
a blazing fire in the cottage of the German peas- 
ant. Their clothing was dry, and they were quite 
comfortable. The only thing that disturbed them was 
the anxiety of their friends at F'riedrichshafen. Possibly 
something else disturbed the young baronet, for the la- 
dy, ingenuous enough to talk and act as she felt, seemed 
to be delighted with her gallant preserver. After they 
entered the house. Shuffles heard Sir William call her 
Lady Feodora. She also belonged to the nobility, and 
he soon learned that she was the youngest daughter 
of the Earl of Blankville. Sir William’s father was 
dead, and though only eighteen, he was a baronet. 
They were travelling with their friends. 

Lady Feodora declared that she adored sailors, and 
Sir William was afraid she spoke only the truth. They 
had been affianced by their parents ; but the young 
lady did not seem to feel a very deep interest in the 
baronet ; and on the other hand, she did seem to feel 
a deep interest in the commander of the Young Ameri- 
ca. His courage, skill, and energy had made a deep 
impression upon her; and the signal service he had 
rendered called forth all her gratitude. She was only 

16 


242 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


sixteen, and perhaps had not judgment enough to see 
that it was perilous to cast pleasant glances at a young 
American tar, and might disturb the calculations of 
her prudent parents. 

The wind howled, and the rain poured all night 
long ; but the party were in comfortable circumstances. 
They were too thankful to have escaped the perils of 
the storm to complain of the rudeness of their quar- 
ters. It was not possible to go to their friends either 
by water or by land, till the tempest had abated, and 
they were disposed to make the best of their situa- 
tion. 

“ I was not aware that they had such heavy storms 
on these fresh-water lakes,” said Shuffles, after they 
had partaken of the simple fare set before them by 
their host. 

“Nor I,” replied Lady Feodora. “ If I had, I 
should not have gone so far in an open boat. We 
went across the lake to Romanshorn, but Sir William 
said he knew all about a boat.” 

“ So I do, under ordinary circumstances,” replied 
the baronet, rather nettled at the implied censure. 

“ It was a very savage storm,” added Shuffles. 

“ I never saw anything like it, even in the Chan- 
nel,” said Feodora. “ But you seemed to handle the 
boat just as easily as though the wind came only in 
zephyrs.” 

She bestowed another glance of admiration upon the 
modest tar, who explained that he had always been 
used to boats from his childhood, and he felt more at 
home on the deck of a ship than he did in the parlor 
of his father’s house. They talked of the perils of the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


H3 


day till midnight. A bed had been provided for the 
lady, but the two young gentlemen lay on the floor 
before the fire. In the morning the clouds broke 
away, and the sun rose bright and clear. The calm 
that follows the storm prevailed upon the lake. The 
party ate their simple breakfast, and Sir William paid 
liberally for their accommodations at the cottage. 

The manner of reaching Friedrichshafen was 
thoroughly discussed. They could go to Lindau, and 
take the steamer, or proceed in the sail-boat. Sir 
William proposed to take Feodora with him, while 
Shuffles sailed the boat back alone. The lady pro- 
tested. She was not afraid to sail back in the boat, if 
the captain would manage it; and this arrangement 
was finally agreed upon, though the baronet was not 
at all pleased with it. They embarked, and a little 
breeze came to their aid ; but it was eleven o’clock 
when they reached their destination. 

“ I do not know at what hotel our ship’s company 
is stopping,” said Shuffles, as they landed. 

“My friends are at the Deutschen Haus ; and you 
must come there with us,” replied Lady Feodora. 
“ My father and mother are there, and they will be 
delighted to see you.” 

“ Perhaps our people are there,” added Shuffles. 

They walked to the hotel named, and found that 
the American party was there. As they approached 
the house, an elderly lady and gentleman rushed down 
from the veranda, and grasped Feodora in their arms 
at the 'same moment. They were her parents, and 
wept tears of joy over her safe return. 

“ We thought you were lost,” said tlie fond mother 


^44 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ I have sent boats in every direction to look for 
you,” added the father. “Mr. Lowington, the principal 
of the Marine Academy, who is here with his students, 
assured me you were safe.” 

“ I am safe, father, thanks to Captain Shuffles,” 
replied Feodora, turning to the young commander. 

“ His Lordship, the Earl of Blankville,” interposed 
Sir William, introducing the hero of the day. 

The gentleman grasped the hand of Shuffles, and 
expressed his gratitude in the warmest terms. 

“We have heard part of the story, and we watched 
the boat till it disappeared in the distance,” added his 
lordship. “ It was a terrible hour for us all.” 

“ Worse than death,” sighed the countess, as she 
pressed her daughter to her heart again. 

“ Mr. Lowington assured us that the young man who 
had so daringly thrown himself into the boat would 
certainly take her to the shore. But we could only 
hope, rather than believe.” 

“ It was a heavy blow,” said Shuffles. 

“ It was fearful ! ” exclaimed the earl, with a shud- 
der, as he thought of the anxiety and terror they had 
endured. “ I owe you an everlasting debt of grati- 
tude.” 

“ I only did what the occasion seemed to require of 
me, and I am as thankful as any one can be, that I 
succeeded in getting the boat to the shore,” answered 
Shuffles. 

“ It was remarkably fortunate that you were at hand, 
for I don’t believe there is another person on the con- 
tinent of Europe who could have managed the matter 
so cleverly.” 


VOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 245 

“ Really, I think your lordship over-estimates my 
services.” 

By this time Mr. Lowington and the young Ameri- 
ca’s party came out to welcome Shuffles. They aston- 
ished him by giving three rousing cheers, and the cap- 
tain was again on the top of the wave of popularity. 
Mr. Lowington said he was satisfied, at the time of it, 
that he would take the boat to the shore, and save both 
of his passengers, so great was his confidence in Shuf- 
fles. The earl acknowledged that his prediction had 
been fully verified. 

“ You had a rough time. Shuffles,” said the prin- 
cipal. 

“ Rather, sir ; ” and the affair was discussed at 
length. 

“ We have seen the town ; but we cannot leave by 
train for Ulm till two this afternoon. If there is any- 
thing here you wish to see, you must improve your 
time,” added Mr. Lowington. 

“ What is there to be seen ? ” 

“ Nothing but the Chateau of the King of Wiirtem- 
berg, and some old buildings. But Mr. Mapps is 
about to give a lecture, from which you shall be ex- 
cused if you desire it.” 

“No, sir; I think I will hear the lecture,” replied 
the captain, as he followed the principal into the 
coffee-room, where all the students had collected. 

Lord Blankville’s party had been informed of the 
lecture, and desired to attend. Shuffles had hardly 
seated himself when they entered the room. Lady 
Feodora had hastily made her toilet ; but she looked 
like a queen, and the captain could hardly believe she 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


246 

was the same person. Those who had attended the 
emperor’s ball in Paris recognized her, and paid their 
respects. Ben Duncan declared she was as “ stunning” 
as when she wore her white ball-dress. Shuffles gave 
her a seat, and had the courage to take one by her 
side, before Sir William could secure the enviable 
position. 

“ Wiirtemberg is a kingdom belonging to the Ger- 
manic Confederation,” the professor began. “ It has ^ 

an area of about seventy-eight hundred square miles, 
varying but a few miles from that of the State of Mas- 
sachusetts. It has a population of one million seven 
hundred thousand, which during the last ten years has 
diminished on account of the large emigration to the 
United States. The government is an hereditary 
monarchy, and, like so many English stock compan- \ 

ies, ‘ limited.’ Freedom of person and property, lib- 
erty of speech, and liberty of conscience, are guaran- 
teed by the constitution ; but liberty of the press, like 
the monarchy and the stock companies, is also ‘ lim- 
ited.’ The legislature is composed of two houses, the 
higher one being made up of princes and nobles. The 
present king is Charles I., whose wife is the daughter 
of Czar Nicholas I. of Russia. The royal family is 
quite numerous in its various branches, and is con- 
nected by marriage with many of the royal houses of 
Europe. The former Duchy of Wurtemberg was made 
a kingdom in 1806, by Napoleon, after having been 
enlarged by the annexation of several smaller states. 

Stuttgart, the capital, is also the largest town, contain- 
ing a population of fifty thousand. I close this lec- 
ture, which I think has not been a very tedious one, 


. i 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 247 

with this remarkable fact: In 1840 there was not to 
be found an individual in the kingdom, above the age 
of ten years, who could not read and write.” 

“ Is that all? ” asked Lady Feodora. 

“ That’s all this time ; but sometimes we have to 
take it for a couple of hours,” laughed Shuffles. 

“ I’m sure I wish he had said more. What do you 
do now ? ” 

“ We go to Ulm at two this afternoon. After that 
we go to Stuttgart, Carlsruhe, Baden, and then down 
the Rhine.” 

“ We must go with them, pa,” added she, turning 
to the earl. 

“We shall be ready to go to Ulm this afternoon in 
the same train,” replied her father. 

“ I am delighted ! ” exclaimed Feodora. “ I hope 
we shall go with you down the Rhine.” 

Sir William, for some reason or other, did not hope 
so. In fact, he was rather dumpy and morose. 

“ Possibly you will,” suggested Shuffles. 

“ What a happy life you must lead, captain ! ” 

“ Perhaps you would not think so, if you were 
at sea with us, when we have to stand watch in the 
night and flie storm, whether it blows high or blows 
low.” 

But you are the captain.” 

“ I was a seaman. It is nearly an hour till dinner 
time; and I think I shall take a run down to the 
Chateau of the king. Of course you have been 
there,” said the captain, suggestively. 

“ I have, but I should be delighted to go again.” 

A carriage was called by the earl. It had seats 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


248 

for only four, and Feodora’s father and mother had 
decided to go. So had Sir William ; but his lordship 
hinted that, as the baronet had already visited the 
Chateau, he might stay at the hotel and play with her 
ladyship’s poodle dog. It would require too much 
space to narrate all that was said and done on this 
little excursion ; but the two young people were 
very much pleased with the Chateau, after and very 
pleased with each other, probably more pleased with 
each other than with the Chateau, though the latter 
was a very beautiful place, as it ought to be for the 
summer residence of a king. Captain Shuffles handed 
the noble young lady out and in the carriage, handed 
her up, various steps, into various grottos; indeed, he 
handed her up and down everything that would afford 
him any excuse for offering his assistance. Lady Feo- 
dora certainly appreciated his kindness, and rewarded 
him with many a smile. 

They returned to the hotel ; and though the noble 
party were in the habit of dining at the aristocratic 
hour of six, they took places at the table dlhbte with th.e 
republicans. The party hastened to the railroad sta- 
tion after dinner, and at the appointed hour, were on 
their way to Ulm. The compartment in which Dr. 
Winstock, Paul, and the Arbuckles rode, contained 
one less than usual, for Captain Shuffles — not entirely 
to the satisfaction of Sir William — occupied a place 
with the party of the earl. The railway carriages in 
Germany are generally built with a first-class com- 
partment at one end, while the rest of the space is 
devoted to the second-class passengers. The former 
is very luxuriously furnished, the seats having stuffed 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


24^ 


arms and backs, with a table between the two rows of 
seats, while the latter has about the same arrange 
ment as is found in the ordinary cars in the Unitec/ 
States. 

“ We have lost our good friend Captain Shuffles,” 
said Grace, with a pleasant smile. 

“ Perhaps our loss is his gain,” added Paul. 

“ Lady Feodora is very pretty.” 

“ Very ; and interesting, too.” 

“ I really pity her every time I look at Sir Wib 
liam.” 

“Why?” asked Paul, curiously. 

“ Because she is doomed by her parents to be his 
wife ; and he is a selfish, supercilious fellow, if he is a 
baronet.” 

*“ Her parents seem to be very fond of her, and 1 
am sure they will not sacrifice her, if she don’t like 
him.” 

“ There are a great many considerations of policy 
which influence these great families,” replied Grace. 
“ She seems to like the captain much better than she 
likes Sir William.” 

“ And I know that he likes her.” 

“ Let us hope for the best,” said Grace, gayly, as 
she glanced out the window at the fine mountain 
scenery. 

“How far is it to Ulm, Dr. Winstock?” asked 
Paul. 

“ Fourteen miles,” replied the surgeon, with a 
twinkle of the eye which seemed to mean some- 
thing. 

“ Fourteen miles ! ” exclaimed Paul, glancing at his 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


^50 

watch. “ Why, we ought to be nearly there by this 
time, then.” 

“ The German trains rarely go more than four miles 
an hour.” 

“ Why, that’s no faster than a smart boy can walk.” 

“ Rather, I think.” 

“ You are joking, doctor.” 

“ I never was more serious in my life. This train 
is not going more than four miles nn hour.” 

“ I should say it was going at the rate of twenty.” 

“ I am afraid you have not read your guide-book 
since you came into Germany,” laughed the doctor. 
“ Perhaps it has not occurred to you that a German 
mile is equal to about four and two thirds English 
miles.” 

“ I didn’t think of that.” 

“ It is sixty-four and a half English miles from the 
point where we started to Ulm ; and the time is over 
three hours. We shall arrive there at half past five,” 
continued Dr. Winstock. 

“ I thank you for setting me right,” replied Paul. 
“ I have been bothered with the German money.” 

“ I have a copy of the last issue of Harper’s Hand 
Book for Travellers, which I obtained in Paris. It is 
a capital work for the tourist, for it does not compel 
him to carry a whole library of guide-books, and is 
complete enough for ordinary purposes,” said Dr. 
Winstock, taking the neat little volume from his bag. 
“ In connection with each country, you will find the 
value of its money in United States currency, and the 
names and value of the several coins in use. In the 
Prussian states, values are reckoned in thalers and 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 25 1 

silver groschen. A thaler is about seventy-three 
cents. A silver groschen^ of which thirty make a 
thaler^ is worth two and two fifths cents.” 

“What’s a Jlorin 

“A florin of Baden, Wurtemberg, &c., is forty cents ; 
but a florin in Austria is forty-nine cents. The for- 
mer has sixty kreutzers^ of two thirds of a cent each, 
the latter one hundred, of about half a cent each. In 
Prussian Germany, twelve ffennings make a silver 
groschen. Five pfennings, therefore, are about equal 
to a cent. Of course these values vary with the rates 
of exchange, and even in the different countries where 
the currency is used.” 

It was dark when the train arrived at Ulm, though 
the tourists obtained an obscure view of the Danube, 
on which the city is located. After supper. Professor 
Mapps gave a brief account of the place to the stu- 
dents. It is a fortress and frontier city of Wiirtem- 
berg, on the right bank of the Danube, and has twenty-' 
five thousand inhabitants. It is largely engaged in 
linen manufactures, and snails are fattened in the sur- 
rounding region, and sent into Austria and other 
countries, where they are highly esteemed as an arti- 
cle of food. For three centuries the town was an 
imperial free city, and one of the most thriving in 
Germany. It is noted in modern times for the dis- 
graceful capitulation of General Mack, in 1805, who 
surrendered thirty thousand men and sixty guns to 
the French. 

The party slept at the Kronprinz Hotel, and the next 
day, after a glance at the minster, — which is ranked 
among the six finest Gothic cathedrals in Germany, 


252 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


and is now a Protestant church, — the excursionists rC' 
Burned their journey, arriving at Stuttgart in two hour? 
and a half. This city is on the Neckar, and is situated 
in the midst of a beautiful country, the slopes of whose 
hills are studded with vineyards. The party, having 
no time to spare, immediately devoted themselves to 
the business of sight-seeing, hastening first to the pal- 
ace of the king, said to contain as many rooms as there 
are days in the year, though our arithmeticians did not 
count them. It is a grand edifice, with a tremendous 
gilt crown over the chief entrance, so that strangers in 
the city cannot possibly mistake the royal character 
of the building. 

Only a few of the numerous apartments were vis- 
ited, which contained some fine pictures by German 
artists, and sculpture by Thorwaldsen. The palace 
may be said to be in both town and country ; for while 
the front opens upon the grand square of the city, the 
rear faces an extensive park, which reaches far out 
into the rural region. The king’s stables, containing 
the finest Arabian horses in Germany, were visited by 
a portion of the party. The public library next claimed 
attention. Its catalogue of three hundred thousand 
volumes includes over three thousand manuscripts, 
half of which are very rare and valuable. The col- 
lection of Bibles, amounting to eighty-five hundred in 
number, and in sixty different languages, is doubtless 
the most extensive in the world. The museums of 
the fine arts and of natural history used up the rest 
of the day. 

The next place to be visited was Carlsruhe, the 
capital of the Grand Duchy of Baden. It was onl)’ 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


253 


a three hours’ ride from Stuttgart, and, as the trains 
connected, the principal decided to proceed at six 
o’clock in the evening, for lie could not otherwise 
reach his destination till noon the next day. The 
earl’s party had taken apartments at the Hotel Mar- 
^ quardt for the night, and ‘Shuffles sent word to them 
that he was about to leave. He was invited to the 
e'legant parlor occupied by his lordship, where he pro- 
ceeded at once to take leave of Lady Feodora. 

“ Probably we shall never meet again,” said he. 
“ If we — ” 

“ Pray, don’t say that. Captain Shuffles,” interrupted 
she, with an expression even more sad than that which 
the young captain wore. “ I hope we may meet many 
times yet.” 

“ We may, but it is not probable that we shall,” 
added Shuffles. “ After remaining a week or ten 
days longer in Germany, we shall go to Brest, and 
from there sail for the United States.” 

“ But your ship crosses the ocean again next spring, 
I think I heard the principal say,” interposed the earl. 

“ Very true ; but I may not come in her — I don’t 
know.” 

“ I will not believe we are not to meet again. You 
must come to England and visit us at Blankville. We 
shall all be delighted to see you.” 

All except Sir William. 

“ I hope I shall have the , pleasure of meeting you 
again. If I do not, I shall remember the hours I have 
spent with you as the pleasantest of my life,” continued 
Shuffles. 

“ But I am not going to think of such a thing as 


254 


DOWN rilE RHINE, OR 


not seeing you again,” persisted Lady Feodora. “ I 
shudder every time I recall the circumstances under 
which we met. But for your daring courage and 
your wonderful skill, both Sir William and myself 
would have been drowned.” 

The young baronet looked as though the actual sit- 
uation was not much improvement upon the possible 
one suggested by his affianced, if he was to be ‘‘ cut 
out ” in this extraordinary manner. 

“ You over-estimate the value of my services ; but 
however you regard them, I shall always rejoice that 
I was able to serve you. I must leave now.” 

“ But we shall meet again, and very soon, too,” said 
Lady Feodora, as she extended her hand to the young 
officer. 

The other members of the party each in turn took 
him by the hand. The earl and his lady manifested a 
warm interest in the young hero, and seconded the 
wish of their daughter that they might meet again. 

“ I am really sorry you are going,” said Sir Wil- 
liam ; but it is doubtful wdiether he was as sincere as his 
friends. “ Couldn’t you contrive it some way so as to 
drop in upon us at Blankville ? It would really be a 
very great pleasure — it would, upon my honor.” 

“ I am afraid it will be impossible,” replied Shuffles, 
as he bowed himself out of the apartment. 

Perhaps Sir William was the only happy person in 
that group, for there was no doubt that he was glad to 
get rid of the troublesome hero. 

The ship’s company took the train at the appointed 
time, and by ten o’clock were in their rooms at the 
Hotel Erbprinz, in the capital of the Grand Duchy of 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 255 

Baden. As soon as it was light in the morning, the 
students were scattered through the streets of the town, 
which, like those of Washington, radiate from a com- 
mon centre, where the king’s palace is located. The 
meals of the party at the hotels were usually served 
separate from those of other guests, and at breakfast 
Professor Mapps had an opportunity to say a word 
about the city. He told them, what many of them had 
already ascertained, that it was a very pretty, but very 
quiet place. It is of modern growth, being unable 
to boast of much more than a century’s duration. 
Charles, the Margrave of Baden, built a hunting-seat 
on the spot in 17155 which, on account of the seclu- 
sion of the place, he called “ Charles’s Rest.” In the 
course of time, his retreat was invaded by others, and 
a city grew up around him, which was called Karls- 
ruhe — the German for the name the Margrave had 
given his hunting-seat. 

The Schloss, or palace, did not essentially differ 
from a dozen other similar structures the party had 
seen. In fact, palaces and cathedrals were getting 
rather stale with them, and they coveted a new sensa- 
tion, which they were likely to realize at their next 
stopping-place. Before noon the tourists reached Ba-’ 
den-Baden, and were pleasantly installed at the Hotel 
de I’Europe. As the season was somewhat advanced, 
there was plenty of room, though the glories of the 
German watering-place were not seen at their height. 

The place is called Baden-Baden to distinguish it 
from Baden in Austria and Baden in Switzerland. 
It is bea itifully located in a lovely valley surrounded 
by the hills of the Black Forest. Although it has but 


256 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


seven thousand permanent inhabitants, not less than 
forty thousand visitors have made their abode within 
its precincts in a single season. It is the most fasli- 
ionable, and at the same time the most attractive, of 
the German watering-places. The nobility and gen- 
try, as well as the blacklegs and swindlers of all the 
nations of Europe, gather there. The country around 
the town is romantic and pleasing, and with good 
roads through the forests and up the hills, there is a 
great variety of delightful walks and drives. Every- 
thing which nature and art could do to make the place 
and its surroundings an attractive abode, has been 
done. 

On the rocky hills above the town are the old and 
the new castles of the Grand Duke of Baden. The 
former is of Roman origin, and was occupied by the 
reigning dukes in the middle ages. The latter is the 
summer residence of the present sovereign. At the 
foot of the rocks on which the modern structure is 
located are the hot springs, thirteen in number, to 
which the town owes its origin as a health-giving 
abode. This part of the place is called “ Hell ” on 
account of the heat of the springs, which' does not 
permit the snow, even in the coldest weather, to re- 
main upon it. The hottest of these springs has a tem- 
perature of 54° Reaumur, equal to 153^° Fahrenheit. 
Their water is led by pipes to the “ Trinklialle” and 
baths in the village, the passage having but little elTect 
upon its temperature. A kind of temple is built 
over the principal spring, which furnishes the hottest 
and most copious supply of water. There is sufficient 
evidence that the Romans used these fountains for 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


257 


vapor baths, and other medicinal purposes. The 
water is perfectly clear, has a saltish taste, and at the 
spring is not unlike weak broth, though it has a disa- 
greeable odor. It is beneficial for dyspepsia, gout, 
rheumatism, and scrofulous diseases. 

After dinner the tourists commenced their explora- 
tions by a visit to das neue Trinkhallc^ or the New 
Pump Room, opposite the hotel. The spring waters 
are conveyed to it in pipes, and in the season the 
place is crowded with visitors, who drink them in the 
morning*. 

The Conversatlonshaus is the grand centre of attrac- 
tion. It is a magnificent building, surrounded by 
splendid gardens. In front of it is a Chinese pagoda, 
intended as a music stand for the band, which plays 
there twice a day. It contains a large assembly-room, 
where the company dance at times, a restaurant, a 
theatre, and other apartments. There are also rooms 
for gambling, which is the staple amuseme.nt, not only 
for the blacklegs and swindlers, who resort to the 
establishment, but for the noblility and gentry. The 
Conversatlonshaus is rented by the government to a 
company, who pay fifty-five thousand dollars a year 
for the monopoly of the gaming tables, and pledge 
themselves to spend one hundred thousand dollars an- 
nually upon the walks and buildings. Of course play- 
ers must lose vast sums of money to enable the keep- 
ers of the establishment to pay these large prices. All 
classes of people gamble, and about one fourth of 
those who engage in the seductive play are ladies — 
or rather women, though they include not a few of the 
nobility. 


17 


25 $ 


‘ DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


Balls, concerts, promenades, and the theatre, as 
well as the exciting amusement of the gaming tables, 
keep the visitors well employed during the season ; and 
when they weary of the din of gayety, a walk of five 
minutes will lead them to the solitudes of the forests 
and the mountains. There is a library and reading- 
room in operation in the midst of the scene of the 
revelry. The students spent the afternoon in wander- 
ing through these brilliant halls ; and some of them 
observed, with a feeling akin to terror, the operations 
of rouge-et-noir and roulette. No one spoke at the 
tables, and no one but players were allowed to be 
seated. If any of the boys, after the exciting sport had 
become familiar to them, were tempted to try their 
hand, they had not money enough to make it an object, 
which proved the wisdom’ of the principal’s policy in 
managing their finances for them. 

The next forenoon was devoted to a visit to the two 
castles above the town. Only the ancient one has any 
special interest, and this is noted for the curious dun- 
geons in the rock beneath it. The castellan, or keeper, 
conducted the party down a winding staircase, to an 
ancient Roman bath, by a passage made in modern 
times; for originally the only access to the dungeons 
was by a perpendicular shaft in the centre of the 
u.astle, which is still in existence. Tradition declares 
ihat the iDrisoners, blindfolded, and lashed to an arm- 
1 hair, were lowered through this shaft to the gloomy 
\'aults hewn out of the solid rock. The dark and mys- 
terioLis dungeons W'ere closed by a stone slab, revolving 
cn a pivot, and weighing from half a ton to a ton. One 
loom, larger than the others^ was the rack-chamber, 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 259 

which contained the instrument of torture ; and in the 
wall several iron rings still remain. 

In a passage-way there is a deep aperture, now 
boarded over, but formerly covered by a trap-door. 
The victim doomed to the rack was led to the pas- 
sage, at the end of which was an image of the Virgin, 
which he was required to kiss. In approaching it, he 
stepped upon the trap, and was precipitated into the 
depths below upon a wheel armed with knives, upon 
which he was torn in pieces. The story is, that this 
horrible pit was discovered in searching for a little 
dog which had fallen through the planking, when the 
wheel was found, with its knives rust}', the fragments 
of bones and garments still clinging to them. But 
people who go to see sights ought not to be disap- 
pointed — and some allowance should be made before 
accepting all the stories of guides and keepers of 
mysterious dungeons. Doubtless these subterranean 
apartments were the meeting-places of some secret 
tribunals, such as the Vehmic courts, which existed 
in the middle ages in Westphalia. Scott and Gothe 
have made use of these dungeons in their works, and 
our students regarded them as a splendid field for the 
later writers of sensational fiction. 

The party walked through the upper portion of the 
castle, and ‘obtained a fine view of the surrounding 
country from its openings. The rest of the day was 
spent in the gardens, assembly-rooms, and other places 
of interest. In the first train, the next morning, the 
excursionists went to Heidelberg, fifty-eight miles 
distant. 


i6o 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


\ 


CHAPTER XVI 


UP THE MEDITERRANEAN. 


HE Josephine still sped on her course, south* 



1 west by west ; and still the mystery of her 
destination remained unsolved. Little was hopeful, 
while Ibbotson was despondent. Mr. Fluxion planked 
the quarter-deck as industriously as though he were 
walking on a wager, or had the dyspepsia, which 
could only be cured by plenty of exercise. 

“What do you suppose this means?” said Perth, 
when the port watch had gone below. 

“ I don’t know : it’s a poser to me,” replied Her- 
man, as he seated himself under the shelter of the 
top-gallant forecastle. “ But I can’t think it is any- 
thing more than a short cruise for the sake of the dis- 
cipline.” 

“ It can’t be a long cruise, for no provisions and 
water were taken in,” added Perth. “ I think, if we 
behave first rate, we shall return to'Brest in a day or 


two.” 


“We will be as proper as the lambs themselves.” 

“ How is it about Fluxion’s going to Italy? ” asked 
Perth. 

“ I know only what the fellows say. Everybody 
believes that he has to go there to see some friend who 
is sick.” 


^OUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


261 


“Where are we going, Mr. Briskett?” inquired 
Perth, as the head steward came forward to take a 
look ahead. 

“ Going to sea,” replied he. 

“Where are we bound?” 

“ Bound to sea.” 

“ But how long are we to be out?” persisted Perth. 

“Well, I don’t know ; but I am fuHy of the opinion 
that we shall be out till we go into port again.” 

“ Won’t you tell us, Mr. Briskett?” interposed Her> 
man. 

“ Tell you what? ” 

“ Where the vessel is going.” 

“ Going to sea,” answered the head steward, good- 
naturedly ; for he rather enjoyed the perplexity of the 
crew. 

“ Is there any secret about the ship’s destination?” 

“ You must ask Mr. Fluxion. He is on the quarter- 
deck, and I dare say he will be very happy to give you 
any information he thinks it is proper for you to have.” 

Mr. Briskett, having taken his long look aliead, 
turned on his heel, and went aft again. 

“Where are we going, Mr. Bitts?” said Plerman, 
to the carpenter, who had been within hearing during 
the dialogue with the head steward. 

“ Going to sea.” 

“ Yes ; but where are we bound?” 

“ Bound to sea.” 

“ But how long are we to be out?” 

“ Well, I’ve boxed the compass, taken an observa- 
tion, worked up an altitude, swung six and cast out 
nine, — and I’ve made up my mind that we shall be 


i62 down the RHINE, OR 

out till we return to port again. I may be wrong, 
but you can figure it up for yourself.” 

“ O, come ! Is there any secret about the vessel’s 
destination?” added Herman. 

“ There’s Mr. Fluxion, wearing out the planks of 
the quarter-deck. He’s a good sailor, and a gentle- 
man from his top-lights down to his keelson ; and if 
you ask him, he’ll tell you all he has a mind to.” 

“ If he’s a gentleman, I hope the forward officers 
will take lessons of him,” added Herman, disgusted 
with the conduct of the carpenter. 

“ I shall, for one ; for we have so many unlicked 
cubs on board now, that I am afraid my manners 
have suffered by being among them,” laughed Bitts. 
“ But do you really want to know where we are going, 
young gentlemen?” 

“ I do, for one,” replied Perth, promptly. 

‘‘You won’t say a word if I tell you — eh?” added 
Bitts, very seriously. 

“ Not a word.” 

“ Well, we are bound down to the coast of Africa 
to get a cargo of gorillas. Mr. Fluxion is going 
into the show business.” 

“ You get out ! ” exclaimed Perth, vexed to find 
himself “ sold.” 

“ I don’t know but the plan was changed,” contin- 
ued the carpenter. “ Some of them were afraid we 
might get things mixed on board ; and after we got 
the cargo in, we couldn’t tell the gorillas from the run- 
aways.” 

Bitts thought he had said a clever thing; and, 
chuckling at his own wit, he turned on his heel, and 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 263 

“ It’s no use to ask them anything,” said Herman. 

“ I suppose we may as well keep still, and wait till 
something turns up,” added Perth. 

“ I don’t see that we can do anything else.” 

“ Unless we start the water in the tanks,” suggested 
Perth. 

“ And have our own supply cut off. I had enough 
of that sort of thing in the ship. If we don’t behave 
well, the first thing Fluxion will do will be to put us 
on salt horse and hard bread.” 

“ We won’t do anything yet. In my opinion, we 
shall go into port in a day or two.” 

At eight bells the starboard watch were piped to 
dinner, being relieved by the port watch. The wind 
continued fresh and fair ; and the Josephine flew on 
her course, logging from ten to twelve knots all day. 
The portion of the crew off duty were not required 
to recite any lessons, or do anything else. The se- 
vere course of study to which Mr. Fluxion had sub- 
jected them, during the absence of the rest of the com- 
pany in France and Switzerland, had enabled them to 
make up all deficient lessons. The principal had 
requested Mr. Fluxion not to assign any studies to his 
charge, unless it became necessary to do so in order 
to keep them out of mischief. The crew were to 
serve in quarter watches, from eight at night till eight 
in the forenoon, though the acting watch officers were 
to serve full time. 

Night came on with the breeze freshening, and the 
top-gallant-sail was furled. The Josephine then had 
all she could carry, for Mr. Fluxion was not a fair- 
weather sailor, and always crowded on all the vessel 


26a down the RHINE, OR 

V ' ^ 

would stagger under. The wind was more to the 
eastward than when the schooner left Brest, which 
still kept it fair. At eight bells in the evening, 
the first part of the starboard watch took the deck ; 
and the night wore away without any exciting inci- 
dent to break the monotony. Peaks and Cleats were 
thorough seamen, and being in authority, they com- 
pelled every seaman to do his duty. 

The sea was rough in the Bay of Biscay, and the 
Josephine, though she made good weather of it, was 
rather wet on deck. But she was making a splendid 
voyage so far. On the forenoon of the second day out. 
Perth and Herman, having the watch below, had an- 
other discussion in regard to the probable length of the 
cruise. The vessel was still headed away from Brest ; 
and even if she put about then, it might take her two 
or three days to work back to the port where they had 
left the ship. The prospect was decidedly sickening. 
The Josephine was far out of sight of land, and still 
headed south-west by west. The officers were as taci- 
turn as on the previous day, so far as the destination 
of the vessel was concerned, though they were very 
considerate in every other respect. There was nothing 
to do after the decks had been washed down in the 
morning. The wind was a little lighter, and, in addi- 
tion to the top-gallant-sail, the fore square-sail was 
set, so that her speed was at no time less than ten 
knots, and most of the time it was twelve. 

“•What do you make of it now. Little?” said Ib- 
botson, just before noon on the second day out. “ Do 
you think we shall get back to Brest in a day or two?” 

“ Of course we shall.” 


YOUNG AMKRlCA IN GERMANY. 265 

r 

“Bah! What’s the use of talking?” We couldn’t 
beat back to Brest now in three days.” 

“ Perhaps we shall make some other port in France,” 
suggested Little, with a sickly smile. 

“What! steering south-west by wost? Not much ! 
I tell you we are homeward bound.” 

“ Nonsense ! Not unless we are going by the way 
of Cape Horn, Behring’s Straits, and the North-west 
Passage ! Keep cool, Ibbotson ; we shall come out 
right yet.” 

“ But we are sold. Lowington has the weather- 
gage of us, and we are beaten at our own game.” 

“ Not yet.” 

“Yes, we are. We shall not see the coast of 
France again this year. Pll bet you Fluxion’s star- 
board whisker, our cruise for this season is up.” 

“ Don’t croak.” 

They all croaked when the vessel had been out 
thirty hours, and was still persistently headed to the 
south-west. The day wore wearily away, crowded 
with doubt, anxiety, and perplexity to the runaways. 
At three in the afternoon, when the starboard watch 
were on deck. Peaks, by order of Mr. Fluxion, sta- 
tioned a lookout in the fore-top. Perth and Her- 
man were the first to do this duty. 

“ I suppose our game is all up,” said the latter, as 
they seated themselves in the top. 

“ It don’t look very hopeful ; but I suppose we are 
going somewhere,” replied Perth. “When we make 
a port, I’m off, if I have to swim ashore.” 

“ I’m with you ; but those five- pound notes will suf- 
fer in the water.” 


266 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ I will look out for them,” answered Perth, grating 
his teeth with anger. “ I think we are reduced to 
common sailors, and I can’t stand it.” 

“ One thing is certain ; we can’t help ourselves. 
If Fluxion chooses to go round the world with us, we 
can’t do anything but submit.” 

“ I’m not so sure of that. When we find out where 
he is going, we can figure up what it is best to do. 
We are not babies, and thirty-one of us can do some- 
thing. But we will keep still till we ascertain where 
we are going.” 

“ Look ahead ! ” said Herman, pointing a little over 
the port bow. “ Isn’t that land ? ” 

“ It looks like it ; but don’t say anything yet.” 

“What can it be?” asked Herman. 

“ It is Cape Ortegal, if it is anything, on the north- 
west corner of Spain. We can tell, in a few hours 
after we come up with the cape, how they head her.” 

They watched the dark, hazy line for half an hour 
longer, and then shouted, “ Land, ho ! ” The an- 
nouncement made a sensation among the runaways, 
but it afforded no revelation of the purposes of the 
vice-principal. Still the Josephine sped on her way, 
and in a few hours was up with Cape Ortegal. 
She kept on the same course, with the coast of Spain 
in sight, till dark. Mr. Fluxion remained on deck ; 
for he attended to the navigation himself. At twelve 
o’clock at night, the first part of the port watch came 
on deck, and Little a-nd Ibbotson tried to ascertain 
where they were. The tell-tale still indicated south- 
west by west as the course. A bright light on the 
shore bore soutli-east by south. Mr Fluxion watched 
the light and the compass. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 267 

“ Keep her south-west by south,” said he to the 
hands at the wheel. 

“ South-west by south,” repeated one of the sea- 
men. 

“ Trim the sails, Mr. Peaks,” added the vice-prin- 
cipal. 

“ Ay, ay ! sir. Man the fore-sheet ! Now walk 
away with it ! Avast ! Belay ! ” said the acting first 
officer ; and the manoeuvre was repeated upon the 
mainsail. 

The yards were trimmed for the new course, and 
there was nothing more to be done. The seamen not 
occupied at the helm, or on the lookout, stowed them- 
selves away in comfortable places. 

“We are going nearly south now,” said Ibbotson, 
as he and Little seated themselves under the weath- 
er rail. 

“ South-west by south,” added Little, gloomily ; for 
even he had almost lost hope. 

“ I heard Perth say there were over two points and 
a half variation ; and that makes the course about 
south by west. Where do you suppose we are 
bound?” 

“ I can’t guess. I suppose we shall fetch up some- 
where. When we do. Pm off as soon as the mud- 
hook finds bottom. Pm not sure that I shall wait till 
we go into port,” added Little, desperately. 

“ Why, what can you do?” 

“We are not more than ten or fifteen miles from 
the coast of Spain. If we could only drop a boat into 
the water, I would risk getting ashore.” 

“You can’t do that.” 


268 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Fliixion has turned in now. Cleats and BItts have 
the next watch,” continued Little, su<^gestively. 

“ They won’t let 3'ou off.” 

“ Bitts goes to sleep ; and Cleats may go below for 
something,” said Little, dropping his voice to a whis- 
per. “We will talk it over to-morrow with Perth and 
Herman.” 

“ But you can’t do anything.” 

“ Perhaps we can,” answered the little villain ; but 
there was not much of his usual elasticity of spirits in 
his tones. 

Ibbotson had no faith, and did not even care to talk 
about what seemed to him such an impracticable 
scheme. At four bells they were relieved, and the 
night wore away without any incident. All the fol- 
lowing day the Josephine kept in about the same posi- 
tion with regard to the shore, running rapidly to the 
southward. Mr. Fluxion “ made no sign,” and the 
acting officers were as reticent as ever. 

“ Perth, I have an idea,” said Little, as they met on 
deck. 

“ So have I,” replied the disgusted leader of the 
runaways. “ I have an idea that we are going round 
the world. This is our third day out, and no signs of 
turning back.” 

“ I mean that I have a plan.” 

“You always have a plan,” added Perth, with a 
sickly grin. 

“ If you don’t want to hear it, all right ; but I mean 
to get out of this scrape, if I can.” 

“ So do I. If we don’t do something we shall be 
the laughing-stock of the whole ship’s company, if we 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 269 

ever join them again, of which I have some doubts. 
Lowington has hauled us up to the bull-ring this 
time, if he never did before. He has the weather- 
gage of us.” 

“ That’s so.” 

“ If you have a plan, let’s hear it.” 

“ O, I won’t trouble yon with it. You don’t think 
much of my plans.” 

“Yes, I do. I regard you as a genius in that line. 
You gave us the plan by which we got oil' in the 
Josephine.” 

“ This little thing is for our four fellows only,” con- 
tinued Little, mollified by the credit awarded to him. 

“ All right ; propel.” 

“ We are only ten or fifteen miles from land. This 
is Portugal off here, I suppose.” 

“Yes; we shall be off Cape Roca to-night, if the 
wind keeps up, and I think we go within five or six 
miles of the shore.” 

“ So much the better.” 

“ Well, what’s up ? ” asked Perth, with a yawn which 
indicated that he had not much hope of any scheme. 

“ Cleats and Bitts will be on the mid watch to-night. 
I notice that Cleats goes into the cabin once or twice 
in our quarter watch, and I suppose he does in yours.” 

“ Yes, after his coffee, I suppose. He always comes 
back eating a biscuit.” 

“Just so ; and Bitts goes to sleep.” 

“ Not often.” 

“ I’ve seen him asleep.” 

“ The officers on duty have to keep on their feet all 
the time,” said Perth. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


2*]0 

'' No matter if they do. Bitts leans against the fore- 
mast, and goes to sleep. He isn’t used to being on 
watch lately.” 

“ Well, go ahead.” 

“ When Peaks goes below, we will draw the slide 
on him, and lock him into the cabin,” added Little. 

“ Good ! Go on,” replied Perth, beginning to be 
interested. “ Bitts is still on deck.” 

“ Pass a line around him, and make him fast to the 
foremast while he is asleep.” 

“ It will be apt to wake him.” 

“ No matter ; he is fast.” 

“ He will make a noise.” 

“ But the other officers are locked into the cabin.” 

“ It might work. What then? ” 

“ Lower the second cutter, and go ashore.” 

“ They would pick us up as soon as they broke out 
of the cabin. The other fellows would work against 
us if we don’t take them with us.” 

“Well, make a big thing of it, and take all the fel- 
lows and all the boats,” said the accommodating little 
villain. 

“ That would do better ; and there isn’t a fellow on 
board who isn’t up to such a move.” 

“ That’s so.” 

“ It will take some time to work up the idea, though 
we have the steerage all to ourselves,” added Perth, 
musing. 

The conspirators discussed the scheme at every op- 
portunity during the day, and imparted it to the rest 
of the crew. Some of them suggested objections, but 
all of them were willing to take part in the enterprise. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 2^1 

r?j’ they were so utterly disgusted with the course of 
Mr. Fluxion, that anything was preferal ! < to :> ib- 
mission. 

“Suppose we get ashore,” said Sheffield. 'We 
shall be in Portugal, perhaps fifty miles from any large 
place.” 

“ Cape Roca isn’t twenty miles from Lisbon,” re- 
plied Perth. “We can walk that distance in a day.” 

“Vv^hat are you going to do in Lisbon? Notone 
of us can speak a word of Portuguese.” 

“ We can do just the same as we should have done 
in Brest, and raise money on our letters of credit, and 
get to Paris. We can take a steamer back to Brest. 
The fare will not be more than ten dollars apiece in 
the fore cabin.” 

“Why not wait till we see where we are going?” 
suggested Sheffield. 

“ It may be too late then,” answered Perth. “ If 
Fluxion should suddenly head the vessel to the west- 
ward, that would mean home. The cook says we 
have fresh provisions enough for thirty days, which 
they took in while we were attending lecture.” 

“ Does he know where we are bound ? ” 

“ No ; or if he does, he won’t say anything.” 

“ I don’t believe in landing at any such place as 
Lisbon, or anywhere in Portugal ; though, of course, 
I will do what the rest of the fellows wish.” 

Perth and Little were too impatient to postpone the 
enterprise, though they acknowledged the difficulty 
of landing in Portugal. They worked up the details 
of the plan, and a part was assigned to each of the 
runaways. Phillips was to secure Bitts, with the as- 


272 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


sistance half a dozen others. Perth was to dose 
the companion way, lock it, and also drive a nail into 
the slide to make it sure. Green way was to cover 
and secure the sky-lights. Herman was to fasten the 
door leading from the cabin to the steerage with a 
handspike. Ibbotson was to bar the door of the fore- 
castle, where the cooks and under stewards slept. 
Others were to back the head S'<ils, so as to lay to 
the vessel ; apd when all these things had been done, 
the boats were to be lowered, — the places of all the 
party having been assigned to them, — and they were 
to pull for the shore. 

The night came on, and the light on Cape Roca 
was identified by Perth, at four bells ; but a fog set in 
from seaward, and he decided that it was not prudent 
to take to the boats under such circumstances, for the 
reason that the boat compasses w'ere in the cabin, and 
could not be obtained. At seven bells on Saturday 
morning the Josephine was off Cape St. Vincent. 

“ Keep her south-east,” said Mr. Fluxion to the 
quarter-master at the wheel, when the headland bore 
north-east from the vessel. 

“ South-east !” exclaimed Perth, when the order had 
been repeated. “ That means the Straits of Gibraltar. 
Fellows, we are bound up the Mediterranean.” 

“What does it mean?” inquired Herman. 

“ Fluxion is going to Italy,” replied the leader, bit- 
terly. “ He is taking us with him ! ” 

Perth’s conclusion was passed along till every seaman 
on board understood it. The mystery was solved , at 
last. There could be no doubt of the correctness of 
the solution, and great were the wrath and indignation 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


273 


of the runaways. It was abominable to compel them, 
the sons of gentlemen, to work the vessel as foremast 
hands, while she was employed on Mr. Fluxion’s pri- 
vate business. It was an insult to them, an insult to 
their parents, and an outrage upon humanity in gen- 
eral. It was not to be endured, and rebellion was a 
duty. Little’s plan was in higher favor than ever. 

The wind was light, and the vessel, close-hauled, 
made but five and six knots during the day\ At night 
she was out of sight of land. All day Sunday she 
made but little progress, and lay^ in a calm for several 
hours. Towards night, however, a fresh westerly 
wind came to her aid, and on Monday morning the 
crew saw the mountains of Europe and Africa vying 
with each other in sublimity, though they^ were too sour 
to appreciate the grandeur of the scene. The vessel 
hugged the Spanish shore, and Perth was on the look- 
out for an opportunity to spring the trap ; but the sea 
was so rough and choppy^, and the current so swift, 
that he was not willing to embark in the boats. It 
looked altogether too perilous. Besides, Bitts did not 
lean against the mast and go to sleep, and Cleats sent 
a hand down to bring up his luncheon, and the vice- 
principal staid on deck nearly all night. 

“ I think Fluxion smells a mice,” said Perth, the 
next day. 

“Why so?” asked Little. 

“ Because he stays on deck more than half the night.” 

“ He is anxious about the navigation, perhaps.” 

“It is plain sailing here,” added Perth. “ I think 
he has seen our fellows talking together a great deal.” 

That was really the case. The vice-principal un- 


m 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


derstood boys thoroughly. He had observed the ear- 
nest talks among little squads, and cautioned the 
acting officers to be very vigilant. It is enough to 
say that no opportunity was presented for carrying 
out the scheme of Little, and the Josephine came to 
anchor in the harbor of Genoa, ten days after she 
sailed from Brest. If the runaways had been in a 
proper frame of mind to enjoy it, there was a great 
deal to be seen ; but they were too much taken up with 
their grievances to appreciate strange sights or beauti- 
ful scenery. 

As soon as the schooner came to anchor, three of 
the four boats were hauled in, and lowered to the 
deck, where they were turned over to be painted. 
Bitts and Gage rowed the vice-principal ashore, while 
Peaks and Cleats, laying aside the dignity of their 
temporary positions, went to work scraping and paint- 
ing the bottoms of the boats, which seemed to have 
been removed from the davits solely for the jDurpose 
of preventing any of the crew from escaping. Mr. 
Fluxion was absent only an hour, and during his ab- 
sence Dr. Carboy watched the students every moment 
of the time. 

The next morning a shore boat brought off a pale 
lady, who was understood to be the vice-principal’s 
sister. They spent the whole forenoon in the cabin ; 

in the afternoon they went on shore together, to 
crraw up and execute certain papers. Perth, in behalf 
of the crew, asked permission of Mr. Fluxion, just as 
he was departing, to go on shore. 

“ Qi-iite impossible, young gentlemen,” replied the 
vice-principal. “ They are painting the boats, which 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


^75 



are not In condition to be used. Besides, there is 
hardly time, for I hope we shall be able to sail be. 
fore night.” 

Perth was very angry, and so were all the others, 
though they hardly expected the desired permission. 
Mr. Fluxion went on shore with the pale lady, and 
Dr. Carboy, Peaks, and Cleats watched the crew with 
Argus eyes. It was of no use for Little to fall over, 
board, for there was no boat to send after him. Perth 
was not quite willing to attempt a swim to the shore, for 
a fresh south-west wind kept up an ugly swell in that 
part of the port where the Josephine was anchored. 
Shore boats were driven from alongside by Peaks. In 
a word, Mr. Fluxion understood his crew, and knew 
what he was about. With a ship’s company who 
had been desperate enough to capture the vessel on a 
former occasion, he was wise enough to keep every- 
thing taut. So the runaways could only grumble and 
growl, and watch the steamers which were constantly 
arriving and departing. 

Before sundown Mr. Fluxion returned alone. He 
had finished his business with his sister, and the order 
was given to get under way, after the boats had all 
been restored to the davits. There was no chance to 
execute any of the desperate schemes which had been 
adopted. Discipline was triumphant, and the Jose 
phine sped on her way to the Straits of Gibraltar. 
Four days out. Cape Antonio, on the coast of Spain, 
was sighted, and for the next two days the vessel 
sailed along the coast, with the lofty mountains of 

' Spain in full view. 

Mr. Fluxion was communicative enough to say that 

t 

y 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 

the Josephine would put into Lisbon, and await the 
arrival of the Young America. The intelligence was 
not pleasant to the runaways. Perth declared that 
something must be done at once, or at least before the 
vessel had passed Cape de Gata. Alicante and Car- 
thagena were near, and from either of them steamers 
frequently departed for Marseilles. They had actually 
made the trip in the Josephine which they had con- 
templated before their runaway excursion 41 her, but 
under different circumstances from those they desired. 
If they could get to Marseilles, the rest of the plan 
might be realized. 

They had kept everything in readiness for the enter- 
prise which Little had planned, and for a fortnight 
had been on the lookout for an opportunity to strike 
the blow. After the vessel had come up with Cape 
Antonio, Perth told the fellows he should make the 
attempt that night, though it would be bright moon- 
light. The signal for those below to perform the part 
assigned to them was three raps on the deck, over the 
steerage, with the heel of the leader. But Pertli was 
not in Cleats’s watch ; so he and Herman hid them- 
selves under the top-gallant forecastle, when their 
watch was relieved. About three bells in the mid 
watch. Little informed the leader that Cleats had 
gone below. 

“Where’s Bitts?” whispered Perth. 

“ In the waist, planking the deck.” 

“ Call Phillips, quick ! ” added the leader, as he 
came out of his hiding-place. 

Phillips promptly appeared. He was a great, stout 
fellow, as ugly as he was big. He immediately pre- 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 277 

pared to do his part. Herman was sent below to 
see that every seaman in the steerage was awake and 
ready to act, and he succeeded in eluding the sleepy 
vigilance of Bitts. 

Perth gave the signal for tliose in the steerage, and 
at the same time whistled for the information of those 
on deck. Bitts was not so obliging as to lean against 
a mast, or anything else, and the conspirators were 
compelled to take him flying. Phillips had prepared, 
with a piece of whale line, a kind of lasso, and, step- 
ping up behind him, threw it over his head, drawing it 
tight around his neck, before the astonished carpenter 
suspected any mischief. The end of the whale line 
was then hooked to the clewline of the fore-square- 
sail, which had been detached for the purpose. The 
hands at the clewline walked away with it, until tlie 
rope bore hard on the throat of the carpenter. All 
this was done in an instant, for Phillips had carefully 
adjusted all the details of his share of the work. Bitts 
tried to cry out ; but when he did so, Phillips ordered 
the hands at the buntline to haul taut. 

“ Keep still, old fellow, or you shall be hung ! ” said 
the ruftian in charge of the deed. 

Bitts was obliged to keep still, for when he strug- 
gled to release his neck with his hands the rope was 
tightened. In the mean time, Perth had secured the 
slide, and those below had barred the doors. 

“ Clear away the boats ! ” and all but Phillips, who 
was obliged to watch Bitts, sprang to their stations 
for lowering the boats, and in a couple of minutes all 
four of them were in the water, with the oars tossed, 
ready to pull for the shore. In the cabin there was x 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


278 

tremendous din, made by Cleats and the other offi- 
cers, who had been aroused by the noise. They were 
trying to batter down the door leading into the steer- 
age, but as yet with no success. 

“ All ready ! ” shouted Perth. 

Phillips, who was the only one of the crew remain- 
ing on board, hastily belayed the clewline at the fife- 
rail, hauling it just taut enough to hold Bitts, without 
choking him to death. As the ruffian leaped into the 
boat, to which he had been assigned, Perth gave the 
order to shove off, and the runaways pulled with all 
their might for the shore. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


279 


CHAPTER XVII. 


HEIDELBERG AND HOMBURG. 

N the arrival of the excursion party at Heidel- 



berg, they were conducted, by Mr. Arbuckle’s 
avant-courrier^ to the Hotel Prinz Karl, in the market- 
place, and near the castle, which is the principal ob- 
ject of interest in the town. One of the first persons 
that Shuffles saw, as he walked up to the hotel, was 
Lady Feodora, promenading the veranda with Sir 
William.' She looked a shade paler than when the 
captain had met her last ; but her color deepened 
when she discovered her gallant friend. 

“ I am delighted to see you. Captain Shuffles ! ” ex- 
claimed she, deserting her titled companion, and rush- 
ing towards him, her cheeks sufifused with blushes. 

“ This is a very unexpected pleasure,” replied the 
commander, his brown face flushing, “ but none the 
less welcome because unexpected.” 

“ How glad I am to see you again ! ” said she, 
taking his offered hand, as they met. 

“ Thank you ; but not so glad as I am,” added he, 
in a lower tone. 

“ I hope you are very well, Captain Shuffles, * in- 
terposed Sir William, stiffly. 

“ Quite well, I thank you.” 


DOWN THE RHINE, OH 


2S0 

“ Lady Feodora has been quite ill,” added the baro* 
net, “ or we should have been in Brussels by this 
time.” 

‘‘ I have not been very ill ; but father thought we 
had better remain here a few days. Now I am almost 
glad I was ill, since it gives me the pleasure of seeing 
you again,” continued the young lady, with a childish 
candor which brought a frown to the brow of the little 
baronet. 

“ You are very kind. Lady Feodora.” 

Sir William thought so too. 

“We have been all over the castle. Captain Shuf- 
fles ; and I am going to be your guide,” continued 
she, playfully. 

“ I am afraid your health will not permit you to do 
so much,” suggested Sir William. 

“ O, I feel quite strong now.” 

The conversation was interrupted by the appear- 
ance of Feodora’s father and mother, who extended 
to Shuffles a cordial and hearty greeting. Mr. Low- 
ington and the party were warmly welcomed by the 
earl’s family. The business of sight-seeing required 
immediate attention, and Shuffles was taken into a 
carriage with his English friends ; for the daughter 
insisted upon redeeming her promise. Sir William 
evidently did not enjoy the excursion ; but he was ap- 
parently unwilling to be left at the hotel. 

Heidelberg is beautifully located on a narrow strip 
of land between the River Neckar and the vast, high 
rock on which the castle stands. It has one principal 
street, nearly three miles long, and contains a popula- 
tion of about seventeen thousand. It is situated ir. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


281 

the midst of some of the finest scenery in Germany ; 
and all tourists agree in calling it one of the most de- 
lightful residences in Europe. The students walked 
through, the principal street and along the banks of 
the Neckar until dinner time, when Professor Mapps 
found an opportunity to say something about the 
place. 

“ Heidelberg was once the capital of the Palatinate 
established here by the Emperor Otto of Germany in 
the tenth century. The Palatines were sub-rulcrs, 
whose duty it was to look after the interests of the 
emperor. This palatinate, including the northern 
portion of Baden and a part of Bavaria, became the 
most powerful in the empire, and was divided into the 
Upper and Lower Palatinates.” 

“What (}iOQS palatinate mean, sir?” asked a stu- 
dent. 

“ It means merely the territory of a sub-ruler, who 
was called a palatine^ from the Latin word palatiu 77 i^ 
a palace. When the throne of Germany became 
elective, these palatines chose the emperor, and for 
this reason were called electors-palatine, or simply 
electors. The castle here was the residence of the 
elector of this division. The town has suflered more 
from the ravages of war than almost any other in Eu- 
rope. It has been bombarded five times, burned twice, 
and captured and pillaged three times. 

“ The university is one of the most noted in the 
world, as well as one of the oldest in Germany, hav- 
ing been founded in 13S6. It has had at one time 
nearly nine hundred students, and generally has seven 
or eight hundred. It employs the most celebrated 


£82 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


professors in Europe, especially in the departments 
of law and medicine. Its library contains some very 
rare and valuable works, printed and in manuscript.” 

“ What about the duels, sir? ” inquired Haven. 

“ The students here are noted for the duels which 
take place among them. Four or five have occurred 
in a single day, and perhaps they average a dozen a 
week. But I wish to say, in the beginning, that duel- 
ling and other vicious practices charged upon the 
University of Heidelberg are confined to about one 
fifth of the whole number of students. They are not 
all duellists, nor all inordinate beer-drinkers. Proba- 
bly they are no worse than the residents at other uni- 
versities, though the duels are certainly exceptional. 
Four fifths of the students here are devoted to their 
studies, improve their time to the utmost, and never 
engage in, or even see, a duel. 

“ These combats — which they are, rather than 
duels — take place at the Hirschgasse, a lonely hotel 
on the other side of the Neckar. The fighting and 
dissipated students form themselves into clubs, called 
‘ chores,’ among which a great deal of jealousy and ill 
feeling prevails. The fights are to avenge insults, to 
‘ see who is the best fellow,’ or between representa- 
tives of different chores, who battle for the honor of 
their clubs. The champions fight with blunt swords 
ground sharp on the two edges. They slash each 
other, but do not thrust, so that the combats seldom 
result in mortal wounds. 

“ In a fight for the honor of the clubs, the parties 
tie up their necks and right arms in bandages and 
cushions. When they fight for the satisfaction of an 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


283 

injury or insult, they have no protection. The combat, 
in all cases, is decided in fifteen minutes ; and at the 
end of this time, the one who has the fewest cuts is 
declared to be the best fellow. If one of the cham- 
pions is severely injured in less than fifteen minutes, 
so that he cannot continue the fight, it is finished up 
on another occasion. A surgeon is always in attend- 
ance to decide whether a wounded contestant is able 
to go on. The police are on the watch for these fights ; 
but the students station sentinels for some distance from 
the arena of contest, and the approach of an officer is 
communicated to them in season to enable the comba- 
tants to escape. I need not add, that these duels are 
brutal and disgraceful. It looks as though the police 
winked at them. 

“ In some of these clubs, the ability to drink from 
a dozen to thirty glasses of beer at a sitting is a neces- 
sary qualification for admission. But these beastly 
and brutal tendencies belong, I repeat, to a minority 
of the students.” 

After the lecture, the party started for the castle. 
Shuffles riding with the earl’s family, and Paul with 
the Arbuckles, while the rest walked. Heidelberg 
Castle has the reputation of being one of the most 
imposing and interesting ruins in Europe. The grounds 
are quite extensive, and full of curious objects. The 
students wandered through the halls and subterranean 
vaults till they came to the famous tun^ which is thirty- 
six feet long, and twenty-four feet high, having a ca- 
pacity of eight hundred hogsheads. It was employed 
to contain the wine of the vineyards ; but it has not 
been used during the last hundred years. iV run to 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


284 

the Konlgstuhl, or King’s Seat, — a high hill behind 
the castle, which commands a magnificent view of 
the valleys of the Neckar and the Rhine, and of the 
mountains in the vicinity, — finished the work of the 
week. 

As the next day was Sunday, the j^arty remained 
at Heidelberg, and attended church at the English 
chapel in the forenoon. In the afternoon they visited 
the Church of the Holy Ghost, which has a partition 
through the entire length of it, dividing it into two 
equal parts, one of which is used by the Catholics, 
and the other by the Protestants. Services in both 
take place at the same time. 

On Monday morning the excursionists, including 
the earl’s party, proceeded to Darmstadt. When Lady 
Feodora had taken a back seat next to the window, in 
a compartment of the railway carriage, she insisted 
that Shuffles should have the seat opposite, much to 
the disgust of Sir William, who usually occutDied that 
position. In fact, he was angry, and did not take 
much pains to conceal his ill-will. It is doubtful 
whether Shuffles understood the matter, but the young 
lady was very strongly interested in him. She did 
not like the baronet, and she did like the young com- 
mander. As the latter had rendered her a signal ser- 
vice on Lake Constance, she felt justified in extending 
unusual attentions to him. Sir William was jealous, 
as well he may have been ; for his lady-love hardly 
condescended to notice him, while all her smiles were 
bestowed upon the ‘gallant young seaman. 

There was nothing especial to be seen in Darmstadt, 
and after the party had walked through the principal 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


285 

street, and glanced at the Grand Ducal Palace, they 
were ready to continue their journey to Frankfurt, 
wliere they arrived in less than an hour, and repaired 
to the Hotel de Russic for dinner. Mr. Drexel, one 
of the landlords, was especially devoted to the party, 
and afforded them every facility for seeing the city in 
the shortest possible time. The dinner was capital, 
and when it had been disposed of by the hungry 
students, they were in condition to hear Professor 
Ma^Dps. 

“ Darmstadt, where we spent an hour this fore- 
noon,” said the professor, “ is the capital of Hesse 
Darmstadt, which consists of two divisions of terri- 
tory, separated by a strip of land belonging to Flesse 
Cassel and Frankfurt. It has an area of thirty-two 
hundred square miles, — being about two thirds of the 
size of Connecticut — and a population of about eight 
hundred and fifty thousand. It is a constitutional 
monarchy in its government, the Grand Duke Ludwig 
III. being the sovereign. The word Hesse^ applied 
to several of the German states, indicates that tliey 
are parts of the original territory which bore that 
name. One of its rulers divided his country into four 
unequal parts, and gave them to his sons. Two of 
the descendants of these sons dying without children, 
there remained only Hesse Cassel and Hesse Darm- 
stadt. Hesse Ilomburg formerly belonged to Darm- 
stadt, but was ceded to another branch of the reigning 
family in 1623. It is composed of two parts; the 
smaller, containing forty-three square miles, and eleven 
thousand five hundred inhabitants, is about ten miles 
north of Frankfurt; the other portion, having eighty- 


386 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


five square miles, and fourteen thousand five hundred 
inhabitants, is on the other side of the Rhine.* 

“ Frankfurt-on-the-Maine, so called to distinguish it 
from Frankfurt-on-the-Oder, is a free city, and the 
capital of the Germanic Confederation. It is a little 
nationality by itself, having the right to make its own 
local laws, levy duties, and other powers belonging to 
a state. It is represented in the Federal Diet. This 
territory includes nine villages, besides the city proper, 
with a population of about seventy-five thousand. It 
is a very old city, and is mentioned in history in the 
time of Charlemagne, who had a palace here. This 
cit}' is the original home of the Rothschilds, the great 
bankers, upon whom even princes wait — when they 
are short of money. The famil}^ are Jews, who form a 
considerable part of the population of Frankfurt. The 
house in which several, if not all, the prominent sons 
were born, is shown in the Judengasse, or Jews Street. 
The laws were formerly very severe upon the Israel- 
ites. They were compelled to reside in their own 
quarter, where the gates were closed upon them at an 
early hour. A regulation forbade the celebration of 
more than thirteen marriages among the race in the 
city within a year. All these stringent laws have been 
rescinded. 

“ Gothe, the German poet, was born in Frankfurt ; 
and you will see his house, which contains some relics 
of him. Luther, the Reformer, also resided here for 

* Hanover, Hesse Cassel, Hesse Homburg, Nassau, the 
part of Hesse Darmstadt north of the Maine, Hohenzollern, 
and Frankfurt were annexed to Prussia in 1866. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 287 

a time. The city is noted for the wealth of .its mer- 
chants, and there are many magnificent private resi. 
dences within its limits.” 

The professor finished his lecture, and the party 
started to see the sights to which he had alluded. The 
old cathedral, with its unfinished tower, was very 
much like many others they had seen. Within its 
chapel all the elected emperors were crowned in front 
of the high altar. The Town Hall was the scene of 
the festivities which followed the election of an em- 
peror. He was feasted in the banquet hall, where the 
kings and princes of his empire waited upon him at 
table, in token of their subservience. A whole ox 
was roasted in the market-place, — into which the 
students looked from the window's, — and the em- 
peror ate a slice, while from a fountain flowdng with 
wine the cup-bearer filled his flagon. The room is 
hung with portraits of the emperors, under most of 
which are placed the mottoes adopted at their coro- 
nation. 

Passing across to the Hirschgraben, the tourists 
visited the house where Gothe was born. Over the 
front door is the coat of arms of the poet’s father, which 
consists of three lyres, as if to prefigure the destiny 
of the genius who first saw the light within its walls. 
Gothe’s room is a garret, wherein his portrait, his 
autograph, and his washstand are exhibited. His 
statue stands near the theatre, and one of Schiller in 
front of the guard-house. From the house of the 
poet, the party went to the Stadel Museum, filled with 
fine pictures, mostly by Dutch and German artists, 
which is named for its founder, a liberal banker, who 


238 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


gave fpur hundred thousand dollars to the institution, 
besides a collection of artistic works. From the mu- 
seum, the students, after a walk of over a mile, reached 
the Jewish quarter, glanced at the Rothschild House, 
the synagogue, and other buildings, returning to the 
Hotel de Russie at dark. 

On the following morning the party went to Hom- 
burg, nine miles distant, where they spent the rest of 
the day. The town is another watering-place, and 
has increased in popularity till it outrivals Baden-Ba- 
den, Wiesbaden, or any other fashionable resort in 
Germany. It has its medicinal springs, which are 
beneficial in a variety of diseases. The Kurhaus 
is the most magnificent in Europe, containing lofty 
halls, elegantly frescoed, foi dancing, gambling, for 
restaurants and reading-rooms. As in Baden-Baden, 
the gambling monopoly is in the hands of French 
speculators, and the lavish expenditure upon the gar- 
dens, buildings, and other appointments is an instruc- 
tive commentary on the chances which favor the 
visitor disposed to try his fortune. 

“ Commodore,” said Ben Duncan, who was now 
the second master of the Josephine, as they met at the 
Hotel ^uatre Saisons in the evening, “ I have lost 
two hundred florins.” 

“ What ! ” exclaimed Paul. 

“ Certainly, Mr. Duncan, you have not been gam- 
bling,” added Grace Arbiickle, looking as sad as though 
she had lost a dear friend. 

“ I lost two hundred florins out in that dog-house,” 
''eplied Ben, who was the wag of the party, and a gen- 
eral favorite. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


289 


“ What dog-house?” inquired Paul. 

“Why, the big one — auf dein Platz^ 

“ Do you mean the Kursaal ? ” asked Paul. 

“ Mr. Fetridge calls it a dog-house, in Harper’s 
Hand Book.” 

“ No.” 

“ The cur-house — what’s the difference?” 

“U in German is pronounced like double o. But 
you don’t mean to say you have been gambling, Ben ? ” 
added Paul. 

“ I said I had lost two hundred florins,” replied Ben, 
with a most lugubrious expression. 

“ Impossible ! ” 

“ I was standing near the table, in the grand gam- 
bling hell^ — I beg pardon, hall, — watching the play, 
when I saw a Russian czar, king, grand dook, poly- 
wog, or something of that sort, win two hundred 
florins at one fell swoop. Now, thinks I to myself, 
if I should put down two hundred florins, and win, I 
should make two hundred florins by the operation. I 
didn’t do it — so I’m two hundred florins out.” 

Ben dropped his chin, and looked very sad, while 
Grace and Paul laughed heartily, perhaps more at the 
“ face ” the wag made, than at the joke he had perpe- 
trated. 

“ I hope your losses will always be of this de- 
scription, Ben,” added Paul. 

Probably they will be while each student is allowed 
only a florin a day for pocket-money,” replied Ben. 
“ There is to be a grand concert in the dog-house this 
evening. Of course we shall go ! ” 

“ Certainly.” 

19 


290 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Suppose we walk down now.” 

“ If you please ; but don’t call it a dog-house.” 

“ Well, it is a gambling-hole, and I don’t know but 
it is a libel on the dog to call it so,” answered Ben, 
as they walked towards the Kursaal. 

Most of the excursionists were headed in that direc- 
tion. Shuffles was with the earl’s party, though, 
strangely enough, Sir William was not at the side of 
Lady Feodora. They seated themselves in the grand 
apartment, and gazed with interest at the brilliant 
scene before them. 

“Where can Sir William be?” said Lady Blank- 
ville, 

“ I do not know, mother,” replied Feodora, languidly, 
as though she did not care where he was. 

“ I haven’t seen him these two hours.” 

“ Nor I,” added Feodora, in a tone which indicated 
that she did not wish to see him for two hours more. 

“ I will look for him, if you desire,” suggested 
Shuffles. 

“ O, no ! Do not trouble yourself,” replied Feodo- 
ra. “ Perhaps he is looking at the play.” 

“ Pray, do, if you please. Captain Shuffles,” inter- 
posed the countess. 

Lady Feodora was too dutiful a girl to object, and 
the commander went to the gambling-rooms. At the 
roulette table he found the baronet, playing with a 
zeal which indicated that this was not the first time he 
had indulged in the baneful game. He was not stak- 
ing large sums, but he was losing about three out of 
four times that he put down his money. 

“ I beg your pardon, Sir William, but Lady Blank- 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


291 


ville is anxious to see you,” whispered Shuffles in 
his ear. 

“ Lady Blankville ! ” exclaimed the baronet, turning 
fl*om the table as he lost his last stake, and walking 
towards the concert-room. 

“ Lady Blankville,” repeated the captain. 

“ Lady Feodora is not anxious to see me — is she?” 
said Sir William, bitterly. 

“ She did not say that she was,” replied Shuffles. 

“ No ; she did not ! ” added the baronet, stopping 
suddenly, and looking his companion in the face. 
“ Will you do me the favor to walk in the garden 
with me?” 

“ While the ladies are waiting for us, it is hardly 
proper to be absent from them,” replied Shuffles, 
troubled by the manner of the young gentleman. 

“ Perhaps you are right,” mused Sir William. 
“ Will you , meet me alone at the hotel, after the 
ladies have retired? ” 

- “ For what purpose?” inquired Shuffles, nervously. 

“I have not time to explain now. Will you meet 
me?” continued the baronet, earnestly. 

“ If' possible, I will.” 

They joined the party in the concert-room. Sir Wil- 
liam was cool, and inclined to be morose. Shuffles 
was rather disturbed by his manner, and could not 
help wondering for what purpose the baronet wished 
to meet him alone. He had not failed to see that 
Lady Feodora regarded her travelling companion, 
whose relations to her he could only infer, with a feel- 
ing bordering upon aversion, and that her demeanor 
towards him was in marked contrast with her bearing 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


292 

towards himself. He was afraid the proposed meet- 
ing related to this subject. While the party were 
listening to the enchanting music of the band, he tried 
to ascertain whether he had said or done anything to 
give offence to the baronet. It was not his fault that 
the lady did not like Sir William, and rebelled against 
the relation which appeared to exist in form between 
them. But the captain was willing to give the baro- 
net any explanation he might demand, and hoped that 
all unpleasant feelings would be removed by the in- 
terview. 

After the tourists had returned to the hotel, and the 
ladies had gone to their rooms. Shuffles walked up 
and down the hall till the baronet joined him. Taking 
his arm. Sir William led him to an unfrequented part 
of the garden, and there halted. 

“ Captain Shuffles, I believe you are a gentleman, 
and have the instincts of a gentleman,” the young 
Englishman began. 

“ I trust I have,” replied Shuffles, not a little agi- 
tated, for the manner of his companion was very ear- 
nest and serious. 

“ You have placed me under very great obligations 
to you. I cheerfully acknowledge them. I am willing 
to believe that both Lady Feodora and myself would 
have been drowned but for your plucky conduct and 
generous efforts in our behalf on Lake Constance.” 

“ I am very glad to have served you, and I assure 
you I hold you to no obligations of any kind,” replied 
Shuffles. “ I simply did what I regarded as my duty, 
which my sea life fitted me to perform.” 

“ Having acknowledged my obligations, you will 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


293 


permit me to add, that I think you are making a very 
unfair and ungenerous use of your position. After 
your noble conduct on the lake, I expected something 
like magnanimity from you. I am sorry to say I have 
been disappointed,” continued Sir William, bitterly. 

Really, I do not understand you,” replied the cap- 
tain, amazed at the sudden turn in the style of his 
companion. 

“ Is it possible that you do not comprehend my rela- 
tions with Lady Feodora?” demanded the baronet. 
“ Let me explain, then, that we have been affianced 
from our childhood.” 

“ Indeed ! ” 

“ You could not help seeing that our relations were 
of this kind.” 

“ I did suppose there was something of this descrip- 
tion.” 

“ Then allow me to say again that you have made a 
very .ungenerous use of your position.” 

“ In what respect?” 

“ You have extended to Lady Feodora many atten- 
tions,” said the baronet, becoming more and more 
excited. 

“ Onl}^ ordinary courtesies.” 

“ But such courtesies as belong to me rather than 
to you. I am devotedly attached to her.” 

“ If any of my attentions were not agreeable to the 
lady, she had only to decline them.” 

“ There you presume upon the position which cir- 
cumstances have given you.” 

“ If Lady Feodora is attached to you — ” 

“ She is not attached to me.” 


294 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ Then you make a very ungenerous use of your 
position,” retorted Shuffles, rather warmly. 

“What do you mean, sir?” demanded Sir William. 

“ If your parents and hers made a bargain for her 
wliich she repudiates, I say it is ungenerous in you to 
use such an advantage as that bargain gives you.” 

“ Do you mean to insult me?” 

“ Certainly not ; only to speak as plainly as you 
have spoken. If my presence is disagreeable to the 
lady, I will avoid her.” 

“Your presence is not disagreeable to her,” added 
Sir William, unable to conceal his vexation. 

“ Then you will excuse me if I decline to treat her 
with the rudeness you suggest.” 

“ I find I am mistaken in you, and I regret that you 
compel me to ignore the obligations under which you 
have placed me.” 

“ I cheerfully absolve you from any obligations 
which may weigh heavily upon you. But I assure 
you, I have no ill-will towards you, and I shall con- 
tinue to treat you with courtesy and kindness. In 
about a week, our ship’s company will return to 
Brest, and sail for the United States. It is not proba- 
ble that I shall ever see Lady Feodora or you again.” 

“ Will you pledge yourself never to see her again 
after this week?” demanded Sir William. 

“I will not — certainly not,” replied Shuffles. “I 
do not purpose to interfere in any way with your 
relations to her. If she desires to see me, and it is 
possible for me to see her, I shall not deny myself that 
pleasure.” 

The baronet suddenly turned upon his heel, and 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


295 


walked rapidly towards the hotel. Shuffles was 
amazed. He could not conceal from himself the truth 
that he was deeply interested in Lady Feodora, though 
no thought of anything beyond friendship occurred to 
either of them. They might or might not continue in 
company for another week, and then part, in all human 
probability, forever in this world. Still, the situation 
was novel enough to be exciting, and he lay awake, 
thinking of it, for several hours that night. But in 
the morning Sir William appeared as usual, and 
probably, on reflection, had decided not to do any 
desperate deed. 

At seven o’clock the excursionists returned by train 
to Frankfurt. It was decided then that, as Wies- 
baden, one of the celebrated German watering-places, 
was only a repetition of Baden-Baden and Homburg, 
the company should proceed direct to Mayence, where 
they arrived by nine o’clock. 


296 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


CASTLES, VINEYARDS, AND MOUNTAINS. 

S the students were crossing the bridge to Mny- 



ence, they obtained a full view of one of the 
great rafts of timber which float down the Rhine, and 
of which Professor Mapps had spoken to them at Dort, 
in Holland. Plowever, it was much smaller than those 
of which they had heard, and they hoped to see an- 
other. The students were not disposed to “ do ” May- 
ence, being too impatient to witness the glories of the 
Rhine. But most of them, from a sense of duty rather 
than from an interest in the place, visited the principal 
attractions of the city. 

“Mayence is the French name of the town,” said 
the professor of geography and history, as the students 
collected in the railroad station, previous to the tramp. 
“ The German name is Mainz, which is pronounced 
Mynts — y like long i. If you pronounce it in any 
other wa}', a German will not know what you mean. 
It was an old Roman town. A fortress was estab- 
lished here to keep back the barbarians. It was for- 
merly a larger and more important city than at present, 
having now a population of only forty thousand. 

“ This place has done two grand things for civiliza- 
tion and for Europe. It was the cradle of the art of 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


297 


printing, and furnished the man who suppressed the 
robber knights. As you go down the Rhine, you will 
see the ruins of many old castles on the hills by the 
banks of the fiver. The nobles, who occupied them 
as strongholds, carried on a system of robbery, levy- 
ing duties upon all who travelled on its waters or 
passed through their territory. Arnold von Walpoden 
suggested the plan which led to a confederation of the 
cities for the driving out of the knightly highwaymen, 
and the destruction of their strongholds. They were 
feudal lords, and the breaking of their power opened 
the way for the progress of civilization. 

“ Mayence was the birthplace of Gutemberg, who 
invented movable types for printing, and reduced the 
art to practice. You will see the site of the house 
where he was born, and the building which contained 
his first printing-office.” 

After this brief explanation the party walked to the 
cathedral, a very ancient structure, possessing much 
historical interest. Opposite the theatre the}^ saw the 
statue of Gutemberg, and the guide pointed out the 
place where his house stood, and the old building in 
which he and Faust took their first proofs from types. 

At twelve o’clock the tourists went on board of the 
steamer Kbnigin von Preussen, and realized that they 
had actually embarked for the trip down the Rhine. 
They had seen the river at Basle, Constance, and 
Schaff hausen, had crossed it at Strasburg, and ob- 
tained views of it from different points on their route. 
The steamer was unworthy of the noble river, and if 
the palatial boats of the Hudson could be run upon its 
waters, they would lend a new charm to the scenery. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


298 

The Rhine steamers are small, compared with the 
Hudson river boats, and far from being elegant. 
They have no saloon on deck, though a couple of 
small apartments, abaft the paddle-boxes, are preten- 
tiously called “ pavilions.” They are appropriated to 
first class passengers, and are seldom used except by 
travellers who wish to be very exclusive. The sec- 
ond class passengers occupy the main cabin and the 
deck abaft the wheels. Meals are served below, or, 
for an extra price, upon little tables on deck. The 
third class travellers have the forward deck, with piles 
of luggage to lounge upon. The relative fares are 
as the ratios four, six, and nine. From Mayence to 
Bingen the time is about two hours, and the fares 
are eight, twelve, and eighteen silver groschen. The 
steamers stop at all the principal landings, and pas- 
sengers are occasionally brought off in small boats 
from other places. 

The company dined in the cabin before the Kdnigin 
started, so as not to lose a single view. The dinner 
was an excellent one, and cheap, the ordinary price 
being seventeen silver groschen, or about fort3^-one 
cents. When served to private parties on deck, the 
price is one thaler, or seventy-two cents. 

“Are those steamboats?” asked Paul, pointing to a 
number of boats with houses on deck, and having im- 
mense wheels. 

“ No,” replied Dr. Winstock. “ They are mills for 
grinding grain.” 

“ But what turns the wheels ?” 

“ They are moored as you see them in the river, 
and the current turns the wheels, which are very 
large, so as to gain power.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


299 

“ That’s a new idea to me,” added Paul. 

“ I have seen just such in the Alabama River, in our 
own country,” replied the surgeon. 

“ It is certainly a very good way to obtain the 
power.” 

The boat started, and soon made a landing at 
Biebrich, on the other side of the river, where pas- 
sengers from Frankfurt, Homburg, and Wiesbaden 
usually take the steamers. As the Konigin proceeded 
on her way, a feeling of general disappointment per- 
vaded the minds of the party, who had not seen the 
river before. 

“ It does not compare with the Hudson,” protested 
Paul. 

“Wait, Paul ! ” said the doctor, with a smile. 

“ How long shall I wait?” 

“ Two hours. You must not be hasty in your judg- 
ment.” 

“What is this town on the right?” asked Grace. 

“ Eltville. Do you see the white building in the 
midst of the vineyards, some distance down the 
river?” said the doctor, pointing to the shore. 

“ I see it.” 

“ That is the chateau of Johannisberg, belonging to 
Prince Metternich, formerly a celebrated prime minis- 
ter of Austria. Those vineyards are the most noted 
in the world. The famous Johannisberger whie is 
made from these grapes. It sells here for five or six 
dollars a bottle, where ordinary kinds can be bought 
for twenty cents, and even less. The grapes are very 
precious, and are kept upon the vines till they are 
nearly rotten. Those that fall off are picked up with 


300 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


a kind of fork, so valuable are they deemed. Of the 
seventy acres contained in the vineyard, only a small 
portion produces the best wine, which is not found 
except in the cellars of kings and princes. This is 
Riidesheim, where the boat will make a landing,” 
added Dr. Winstock, as the steamer stopped her 
wheels. “ A famous wine is also made here. It is 
said that Charlemagne, seeing from his castle win- 
dows, near Mayence, how early the snow disappeared 
from the heights below us, ordered vines from France 
to be set out here ; and from these vines is produced 
the noted Riidesheimer wine. 

“What place is this? ” inquired Paul, at a point 
where the course of the river seemed ^to be obstructed 
by rocks and hills. 

“ Bingen on the Rhine,” said the surgeon. “ Here 
the waters of the river are crowded in a narrow space. 
Look upon the hills around you, and see how every foot 
of ground is economized for the vineyards. Where the 
hill-sides are too steep for cultivation, they are formed 
into terraces, as you see them.” 

The steamer stopped a few moments at Bingen, 
which contains about seventy-five hundred inhab- 
itants. 

“ On our left, now, are the dominions of the King 
of Prussia — the Rhenish provinces. On our right, as 
before, is the Duchy of Nassau. What do you think 
of the Rhine now?” asked Dr. Winstock. 

“ It is improving, certainly,” laughed Paul. “ The 
scenery is really very grand and very fine. I will give 
it up now. It is finer than the Hudson. But where 
are the old castles?” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


301 


“ There is one of them,” answered the doctor, 
pointing to a ruin which crowned a hill on the 
right. “That is the Castle of Ehrenfels. There is 
a legend connected with about every one of them. 
There is the Mouse Tower.” 

The doctor pointed to a stone structure rising from 
the river a short distance from the shore. It was cer- 
tainly a very romantic building, and in a very romantic 
situation. 

“ What is the story about this tower?” asked Paul. 

“ If you take Southey’s works when you return to 
the ship, you will find in them, ‘The Tradition of 
Bishop Hatto.’ He was the Archbishop of Mayence, 
and during a famine kept his granaries, well filled 
with food, locked, and, by his own profusion and 
high living, excited his starving subjects to revolt. 
The prelate ordered the rebels to be arrested, con- 
fined them in a building, and set it on fire. Not 
content with this outrage, he added insult to injury 
by mocking the wail of the sufferers, and comparing 
their cries with the squeaking of mice. In the night 
which followed the diabolical deed, a swarm of mice 
penetrated to the apartments of the archbishop’s palace, 
attacked him, and tried to tear the flesh from his bones. 
Appalled by this poetic justice, the cruel prelate fled, 
and, taking to the river, reached this insulated tower. 
Suspending his bed in the upper part of the structure, 
he struggled to escape from the mice, as merciless as 
he had himself been. But the mice followed him, and 
he could not avoid the doom that was in store for him. 
Vainly he resisted. The rats attacked him, and he 
suffered a lingering and horrible death. It is but fair 


302 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


to add that history gives the archbishop a different 
character. Do you happen to know the meaning of 
the German word mauthf' 

“ A duty, or a toll,” replied Grace. 

“ The German for mouse is iiiaus^ and probably it 
is in this instance corrupted from mauth; for nothing 
could have made the tower and its owners more odi- 
ous than the collection of duties from voyagers on the 
river. There is a sad story connected with the Bid- 
mserberg Castle, which we saw above. Bromser of 
Ruhesheim went to Palestine with the crusaders, 
and, while there, distinguished himself by slaying a 
dragon which made itself very annoying to the Chris- 
tian army. He was immediately after captured by the 
Saracen forces, and reduced to slavery. While in this 
condition, he made a solemn vow, that if he were 
ever permitted to return to his castle again, he would 
give his only daughter to the church. Improving an 
opportunity to kill his guard, he succeeded in reaching 
his home, where he was met by his daughter, a lovely 
young woman, who was betrothed to a young knight. 
Her father told her of the vow he had taken. Tear- 
fully she entreated him to change his purpose ; but 
his pledge to the church could not be set aside. Brom- 
ser threatened her with his curse if she refused to 
obey. Life had no charms apart from the young 
knight, and she determined to die. In the midst of a 
violent storm, she threw herself from the castle battle- 
ments into the river, and her corpse was found the 
next day, by a fisherman, near the Mouse Tower. The 
boatmen and peasants say, to this day, that they some- 
times see the pale form of Gisela hovering above the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


303 

castle, mingling her wails with the moanings of the 
storm.” 

“ That’s a very pretty story, and I suppose young 
ladies in that age were like those of the present,” 
added Paul. “ Perhaps more so, for now they don’t 
throw themselves from walls into a damp river for 
such a cause.” 

“ There’s another castle ! ” exclaimed Grace, point' 
ing to the left. 

“ That is Rheinstein, a castle which has been re- 
stored, and is the summer residence of a Prussian 
prince. Below the castle, where the road runs be- 
tween the rock and the river, tolls were levied upon 
Jews who passed that way. And it is even said that 
the collectors had little dogs trained to know a Jew 
from a Christian, and to seize him with their teeth.” 

Castle-crowned heights succeeded each other in 
rapid succession ; and in this part of the river they 
are so thick, that our students had to keep tlieir eyes 
wide open in order to see them all. Rocky steeps 
rose from the verge of the water ; and wherever there 
was any soil, or any earth could find a resting-place, the 
spot was made into a vineyard. Sometimes the vines 
have to be planted in baskets, while all the steep hill- 
sides are terraced to the height of a thousand feet 
above the river. To reach these plats of ground, the 
peasants, male and female, must climb the steeps, and 
everything used there must be carried up on the shoul- 
ders. The vine-dressers are a very industrious people, 
and nothing but the most determined perseverance 
could induce them to cultivate these lofty artificial beds. 

The towns on the banks of the Rhine are pic- 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


304 

turesque, and one never tires of looking at them. In- 
deed, half a dozen voyages down the Rhine no more 
than enable the tourist to see all its wonders and all its 
beauties. 

“ Stahlech Castle,” said Dr. Winstock, pointing to 
a ruin on the left. “ It was the palace of the Elector 
Palatine. Between the castle and the hill are the re- 
mains of St. Werner’s Chapel. In the middle ages, it 
is said that the Jews at Oberwesel, farther down the 
river, crucified a Christian named Werner, and threw 
the body into the stream. Instead of descending with 
the current, it was carried by a supernatural agency 
up the river, from which it was taken at Bacharach, 
the town we are approaching, interred, and after- 
wards canonized. The chapel was built over the 
grave. Doubtless the story was invented to afford a 
pretext to rob and persecute the Hebrews, though in 
former ages such excuses seem to have been hardly 
needed.” 

“ There is another castle in the river,” said Grace, 
as the boat left Bacharach. “ It is an odd-looking 
building.” 

“That is the Pfalz^ and the town on the right is 
Caub. A toll was paid here by all vessels navigating 
the river. The Duke of Nassau inherited the right to 
levy this tax, and exercised the right to collect it, until 
three or four years ago. The Pfalz was his toll-house 
In the middle ages, thirty-two tolls were levied at the 
difterent stations on the river. Schonberg Castle is on 
the left. What does the word mean ? ” 

“Beautiful hill,” replied Grace. 

“ It is called so because the occupant had seven 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


305 


beautiful daughters, who were sad flirts. All the 
young knights in the vicinity were bewitched by their 
beauty, but they were so hard-hearted that they would 
accept none of them ; and, as the penalty of their obdu- 
racy, they were changed into seven rocks, and planted 
in the middle of the river, where you will presently 
see them.” 

Passing Oberwesel and the Seven Sisters, the water 
was considerably agitated where the current had for- 
merl}' produced a whirlpool, in its course among the 
rocks, which have now been removed by blasting. 
There was also a rapid just above it, and the place was 
very perilous for the long rafts, which were some- 
times dashed to pieces upon the sunken rocks. The 
bank of the river on the right rises abruptly to a 
great height, and the precipice is called the Lurlei. 
It has an echo which gives back fifteen repetitions 
of the original sound. It sometimes makes intelligent 
replies ; and wicked students put to it the question, 
“ Who is the burgomaster of Oberwesel?” To which 
it responds, “ Esel,” which, in English, means an ass. 
The burgomaster intends to have it indicted for 
slander. 

This echo, which repeats the sounds from below, 
and the wild character of the region, have produced 
a legend that the place is haunted by a beautiful but 
wicked water nymph, who lured the voyager, by her 
witching voice, to the rocks and the whirlpool, where 
his boat was dashed to pieces. 

St. Goar and St. Goarhausen are opposite each 
other, on little shelves' under the brow of the continu- 


20 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


306 

ous range of hills which wall in the Rhine for miles. 
The railroad extends along the left bank of the river, 
in the rear of which is Rheinfels Castle, — the most 
extensive ruin on the river, — nearly four hundred feet 
above the water. The Mouse, on the other side, is 
supposed to have some unpleasant relations with the 
Cat, farther up the stream. On the right, opposite 
the sm.all town of Salzig, are two twin castles, which 
go by the name of the Brothers. Their owners, bear- 
ing this relation to each other, unfortunately fell in 
love with the same beautiful lady, fought for her, and 
both were killed. 

“ This is Boppart, a very old place, occupied by 
the Romans,” said Dr. Winstock, as the steamer made 
a landing. “ You have noticed that the shelf of land 
on each side of the river, grows wider and the hills 
are farther from the stream. Between this point and 
Bingen, the Rhine makes its passage through the 
mountains. Some suppose the river, at a remote 
period, forced its way through the range, and formed 
the narrow gorge which we have passed, and that 
the country as far back as Basle was a vast lake, 
for various sea shells and fossils are found there. 
Marksburg Castle, on your right, is very much like 
the one you saw at Baden-Baden ; and a walk through 
its deep dungeons hewn out of the rock, its torture- 
rooms, and its subterranean galleries, is enough to in- 
spire a sensation novel.” 

. “ Dear me ! ” yawned Grace, “ I am almost tired 
of castles.” 

“I think Captain Shuffles is also,” added Paul. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 307 

“ I notice that he hardly looks at them. Well, he has 
something better to look at.” 

“What?” 

“ Lady Feodora,” laughed Paul. 

“ The best way to go down the Rhine, if one has 
the time, is to go from town to town by railway, and 
then pass through the region in a steamer, to put the 
effects together. I am sorry you are tired of it,” said 
the surgeon. 

“ I enjoy the scenery, but I have had about castles 
enough for one day.” 

“ There are not so many below Coblenz. You 
have now ‘ done ’ the most beautiful portion of the 
river, and the trip to-morrow will be hardly more in- 
teresting than the same distance on the Hudson.” 

The young people devoted some time to conversa- 
tion with each other ; but the doctor pointed out the 
Kbnigstuhl, where the seven electors used to sit, and 
where emperors were elected, and sometimes de- 
throned. 

“ Lahnech Castle has a peculiar interest,” he con- 
tinued, as he called the attention of the group to a 
chateau on the right. It belonged to the order of 
Knights Templars, which was founded, in 1118, for 
the protection of pilgrims, and the defence of the Holy 
Sepulchre at Jerusalem. The institution became re- 
nowned, and extended all over the world. It was 
very rich and powerful, and therefore disliked by 
the clergy, who finally overthrew it. Those residing 
here were attacked in their castle, which was cap- 
tured only after the last of its brave defenders had 


3o8 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


been slain. On the other side is vStotzenfels, or 
Proud Rock — a title which it deserves. Upon it is 
the beautiful chateau of the King of Prussia.” 

A short time after, the steamer reached Coblenz, 
where the excursionists were to spend the night. 


VOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


3 ^ 


' CHAPTER XIX. 

COBLENZ AND COLOGNE. 

A partments had been engaged at the Riese^ 
or Giant Hotel, near- the landing. It was too 
dark to see anything of the town, but the students 
wandered about the streets, looking into the beer 
shops, which they dared not enter, and observing the 
evening life of the Germans. To many of them this oc- 
cupation was more interesting than visiting old castles, 
or even modern palaces, especially after tlicy had be- 
come old stories. Paul, Shuffles, and some others 
found themselves more pleasantly entertained at the 
hotel. 

After breakfast the next morning, the tourists made 
a business of seeing the place. The town occupies a 
tongue of land at the junction of the Moselle with the 
Rhine. It is strongly fortified, on the land side, with 
works which it required twenty years to build, and 
there are forts all around the city, which is intended 
to be a stronghold for the defence of Prussia against 
an invading army from France. 

The Church of St. Castor, at the confluence of the 
rivers, is a very ancient structure, in which the grand- 
children of Charlemagne met to make a division 
of the empire. Napoleon, on his march to invade 




310 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


Russia, caused a fountain to be erected in front of 
this church, bearing an inscription commemorating 
the event. The French army was overwhelmed, and 
a Russian force, pursuing the remnant of it, arrived at 
Coblenz. The general saw the obnoxious record, but 
instead of erasing it, he added the sarcastic sentence, 
‘‘ Seen and approved by us, the Russian commandant 
of the city of Coblenz,” which remains to this day. 

The party visited some of the principal edifices in 
the city, including the palace, in which the King of 
Prussia sometimes resides, and then crossed the Rhine 
on the bridge of boats to the immense fortress called 
Ehrenbreitstein, the meaning of which is “ honor’s 
bright stone.” It was a fortress in the middle ages, 
and was unsuccessfully besieged by the French in 
1688, though it was less fortunate in 1799, when the 
garrison was starved into a surrender, and it was 
blown up. In 1814 the Prussians commenced the 
work of restoring it, and since that time they have 
been continually strengthening and enlarging it. The 
series of military works, of which this fortress is the 
principal, are capable of holding one hundred thou- 
sand men, but five thousand are sufficient to garrison 
them. The magazine will hold provisions enough to 
supply eight thousand men ten years. It mounts four 
hundred j^ieces of cannon. The rocks have been hewn 
out into bomb-proofs and battlements, and art has done 
its utmost to strengthen the place. 

The parade is on the top of the rock, beneath which 
vast cisterns have been constructed, which will con- 
tain a three years’ supply of water. In addition 
to these, a well, four hundred feet deep, cut in the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 311 

rock, communicates with the Rhine, which is to be 
used only on an emergency, as the river water is un- 
wholesome. The river seen from the parade is very 
beautiful, but the company were obliged to hasten back 
to Coblenz, in order to dine in season for the afternoon 
steamer to Cologne. 

At one o’clock the voyage down the Rhine was re- 
newed, and the students, after their long ramble in the 
forenoon, were glad to use the camp stools on the deck 
of the steamer. Village after village was passed, but 
the scenery was less grand than that seen the day 
before. There were fewer castles to be seen on the 
heights, though Dr. Winstock could hardly tell the 
story of one before another required attention. The 
railroads which extend along each side of the river, in 
several instances, passed under castles, towers, and 
ruins, whose foundations have been tunnelled for the 
purpose. At Andernach, the mountains on both sides 
come close to the river again, and the water flows 
through a kind of gorge between them. 

“ At Brohl, which you see on the left, a peculiar 
kind of stone is found, which has the property of har- 
dening under water, and is, therefore, in great demand 
for the manufacture of cement,” said Dr. Winstock. 
“The ancients used it for coflins, because the stone 
absorbed the moisture from the bodies. These quar- 
ries were worked by the Romans, who had a road to 
Cologne on the left bank of the river.” 

“ There are mountains on the right,” said Grace, 
some time afterwards. 

“ Those are the Siebengebirge, as they are called. 
Though the name indicates seven mountains, there 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


5 ^^ 

are thirty summits. They are very picturesque, but 
they are only ten or fifteen hundred feet high,” con- 
tinued the doctor. 

“ There is a beautiful island in the middle of the 
river,” added Paul. “ It has an old building on it, 
and is covered with trees.” 

“ That is Nonnenwerth, and the building is a con- 
vent. Do you see the castle on the left bank, opposite 
the island?” 

“ I see it.” 

“ You must read Herr Bernard’s Legends of the 
Rhine. You will find the book in Cologne, both in 
German and in English, though the English of the 
latter is execrable. You will find in it the story of 
Rolandseck, the castle on the left, and Nonnenwerth. 
Roland was the nephew of Charlemagne. He was 
engaged to a daughter of the Lord of Drachenfels, 
whose castle you see on the opposite side of the river. 
He went away to the wars, and during his absence, a 
false report came back that he was killed at Ronces- 
valles. His betrothed, in despair, entered the convent 
on the island, and took the black veil. Roland re- 
turned, but could not reclaim the bride. He built the 
castle on the left, where he could overlook her retreat, 
and lived the lonely life of a hermit. One evening, 
while he was gazing down upon the convent, he heard 
the bell toll, and saw a procession of nuns escorting a 
coffin to the chapel. His page soon brought him the 
intelligence that his lady was dead. He ordered his 
horse to be saddled immediately, and hastened to 
Spain, where, in a battle with the Moors, he was 
killed.” 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 31^ 

“ Then these are the Drachenfels, on our right,” 
said Grace. 

“ They are ‘ The Castled Crags of Drachenfels,’ as 
Byron sings. From the top of this precipice, Cologne, 
twenty miles distant, can be seen.” 

“And that large town is Bonn,” said Paul. 

“Yes; the electors of Cologne — not the city, but 
the electorate — formerly resided here. The vast pal- 
ace built for them in 1730, which is nearly a quarter 
of a mile long, is now used by the University of Bonn, 
where Prince Albert, Queen Consort, of England, 
was a student. The city has about twenty thousand 
inhabitants, and is a very beautiful place. When I 
was here, six years ago, I went out about a mile and 
a half to a church, on the top of the Kreuzberg. It 
formerly belonged to a convent ; and in a chapel be- 
hind the high altar are exhibited what are called the 
Sacred Stairs, which led up to Pilate’s judgment hall. 
No one is allowed to ascend them except upon his 
knees, and the stains of blood falling from the w'ounds 
caused by the Saviour’s crown of thorns are pointed 
out. Those believe who can and will. There is a 
vault under the church, reached by a trap-door in the 
floor, which, by some remarkable property, has pre- 
served undecayed the bodies of twenty-five monks. 
They lie in open coffins, clothed in cassocks and cowls. 
They are dried up, and look like mummies. Some of 
them were buried there four hundred years ago.” 

“ What a horrible sight!” exclaimed the sensitive 
Grace. 

“ I did not see anything very horrible about it,” re- 
plied the doctor, with a smile ; “ but I am a surgeon 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


514 

by profession. In Italy and Sicily there are many such 
exhibitions of the dead.” 

Below Bonn the banks of the river are level, or 
gently undulating, reminding the traveller of the Del- 
aware above Philadelphia. The scenery is pleasant, 
but rather tame after the experience of the Drachen- 
fels. At five o’clock the steamer reached Cologne, 
and passing under the great iron bridge, and through 
the bridge of boats, made her landing at the quay. 
The Grand Hotel Royal, in which accommodations 
had been engaged for the tourists, is situated on the 
bank of the river, and many of the party had rooms 
which overlooked the noble stream. There is no 
pleasanter occupation for a tired person than that of 
sitting at one of these windows, watching the flow of 
the river, and the variety of scenes which its surface 
presents. 

It was a lively scene at the hotel in the evening. A 
few of the students took a walk through the narrow 
streets ; but Cologne is not a pleasant place to walk in 
the evening. There are no sidewalks, and some of 
the streets are not wide enough to allow two vehicles 
to pass abreast, though in the more modern parts of 
the place this defect has been remedied. The Hotel 
Royal has broad halls, though there is no such thing as 
a public parlor, where the guests may meet together, 
as in American hotels. Captain Shuffles and Lady 
Feodora were promenading, while Paul and Grace 
had seated themselves in the coffee-room. 

“ I suppose, when we leave Cologne, we shall de- 
part in different directions,” said Shuffles. 

“ Papa says we shall go direct to Calais,” replied 


I YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 315 

j Feodora, looking very sad, as, indeed, she felt when 
she thought of the separation, 
j “ I believe our company are going by Charleroi to 
!i Paris, and from there to Brest. Probably we shall 
never meet again.” 

j “ O, I hope we shall ! ” exclaimed Feodora, look- 
ing up into his face. 

I “ It is not very probable.” 

(; “You may come to England within a few years, 
; perhaps a few months.” 

“ It is possible. If I come out in the ship next 
j spring, we shall sail up the Baltic, and make our first 
port at Christiansand, in Norway.” 

I “ I am afraid you don’t wish to meet me again.” 

I would cross the ocean for that alone,” protested 
the gallant young captain. 

' “ If you wished to meet me, I think you would find 

a way.” 

“ Perhaps I ought not to meet you again,” added 
Shuffles. 

' “ Not meet me again ! Pray why not?” 

“ Sir William very much prefers that I should not 
j do so.” 

“ Sir William ! ” repeated she, with an inquiring 
glance. 

“ I think he does not like my company very well.” 

“ I do, if he does not.” 

Shuffles did not mention to her that he had con- 
versed with the baronet about the matter, and that the 
latter had used some rather strong language to him. 
He was not disposed to make trouble. 

“ I have some idea of your relations with Sir 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


316 

William,” added Shuffles, with considerable embar- 
rassment. 

“ I haven’t any relations with him, Captain Shuf- 
fles,” replied she, fixing her gaze upon the floor, while 
her face crimsoned with blushes. 

“ I have been told that you were engaged.” 

“ our parents — yes. By myself — no. I dislike 
Sir William very much indeed ; and I know my father 
will never do anything that will make me unhapj^y.” 

“ Pardon me for alluding to the subject,” said 
Shuffles. 

“ I am very glad you spoke of it.” 

“ I should not have done so, if I had not had some 
doubts about seeing you again, even were an opportu- 
nity presented.” 

“ Doubts about seeing me?” 

“ I mean because Sir William dislikes me,” stam- 
mered the captain. 

“ He ought not to dislike yon, after what you have 
done for him and me.” 

“ He thinks I am too strong a friend of yours.” 

“ I don’t think you are. Why, you saved my life, 
and I should be very ungrateful if I did not value your 
friendship,” replied Feodora, apparently investigating 
the texture of the wood of which the floor was com- 
posed. 

“ Then you value it because I rendered you a little 
service on the lake,” added Shuffles. 

“ That assured me you were very brave and noble ; 
and I am sure you have not done anything since 
which makes me think less of you.” 

“You are very kind ; and it makes me have the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 317 

blues to think of parting with you, perhaps never to 
see or hear from you again.” 

“ Won’t you write to me, as Miss Arbuckle does to 
the commodore, and tell me about your travels, and 
about your own country, when you return?” 

“ It would be a great satisfaction to me to have the 
privilege of doing so,” said Shuffles, eagerly. 

“ I should prize your letters above all others,” she 
replied. 

“Will your father allow you to receive them from 
me ? ” 

“ Why should he not?” 

“ On account of Sir William.” 

“ My father is one of the best and kindest men in 
the world, and he loves me with all his great soul. 
He has even told me that I might dismiss Sir William, 
when we return to England, if I found it impossible to 
like him,” answered Feodora, artlessly ; and English 
girls speak on such subjects with less reserve than 
American damsels. 

“ Here comes Sir William. I shall write to you at 
the first opportunity after we separate.” 

The baronet had been out to smoke ; for young as 
he was, he had already formed this habit, which was 
one of Lady Feodora’s strong objections to him, — he 
gave forth such an odor of tobacco. He frowned and 
looked savage when he saw the young couple to- 
gether ; but they continued their promenade in the 
hall, though they changed the subject of the conver- 
sation. 

“Good evening. Sir William,” said Ben Duncan, 
the inveterate joker, who saw the effect produced by 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


318 

the coming of the baronet, and wished to relieve the 
young couple of his company. 

“ Good evening, sir,” replied the baronet, stiffly ; for 
he was not disposed to be on very familiar terms with 
the young republicans. 

“A friend of mine at the Gas-house — ” 

“At the what?” demanded Sir William, with a 
look of contempt. 

“ I beg your pardon. I mean the Gasthaus. But 
there were two or three English nobs there who were 
so gassy in their style, that I forgot my Deutch for 
the moment. A friend of mine at the Gasthaus, am 
Holldndischer //of, expressed a strong desire to see 
you.” 

“ Indeed ! What friend of yours could desire to 
see me?” 

“ Well, I call him Elfinstone. If I were more polite 
than I am, I should say Lord Elfinstone ; but he’s just 
as good a fellow as though he were not a lord.” 

“ Is it possible that Lord Elfinstone is in Cologne? ” 
added the baronet. 

“Do you know him?” 

“ I have not that honor.” 

“ I have. I used to sail him in my father’s yacht, 
when he was in New York,” replied Ben ; who, how- 
ever, under any other circumstances, would not have 
troubled himself to make the young nobles better ac- 
quainted. “ I will introduce you, if you like.” 

“ Thank you,” answered the baronet, with a prompt- 
ness which indicated that he appreciated the honor in 
store for him. “ I shall be under great obligations to 
you.” 


V 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


319 


Taking the arm of Ben Duncan, who had suddenly 
risen in the estimation of Sir William, because he was 
on familiar terms with so distinguished a young gen- 
tleman as Lord Elfinstone, they left the hotel, very 
much to the satisfaction of Shuffles and Feodora. 

“ Perhaps there is another objection to our meeting 
again, or at least to permitting a friendship to grow 
up between us,” said Shuffles, continuing the subject. 

“ What can there be?” asked Feodora. 

“ You belong to the nobility of England, while I am 
only the son of a Republican American.” 

“ A fig for the nobility ! ” exclaimed she. “ They 
are just like other people.” 

“ I think so myself,” replied Shuffles ; “ but there is 
some difference of opinion on that subject.” 

Sir William was duly presented to Lord Elfinstone, 
at the Hollandischer Hof, and they did not part till after 
nine o’clock ; so the young couple had the evening all 
to themselves. After the ice was broken, they proba- 
bly made some progress in establishing a friendship ; 
but as it is not fair to listen to such conversations, it 
cannot be reported. The earl and his lady did not 
interfere, whatever they thought of the confidential 
relations which appeared to be gaining strength be- 
tween the captain and their daughter, and they sepa- 
rated only when it was time to retire. 

After breakfast the next morning. Professor Mapps 
had something to say about Cologne, and with the 
consent of Herr Deitzman, the landlord, it was said in 
the coffee-room. 

“ As many of you do not study German, you would 
not know what was meant by the name of the city if 


320 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


you saw it printed in that language,” the professor be- 
gan. “ It is written Koln, with the U 77 ilant^ or diasresis, 
over the vowel, which gives it a sound similar to, but 
not the same as, the e in the word met. It is the third 
city of Prussia, Berlin and Breslau alone being larger, 
and has a population of one hundred and twenty thou- 
sand. On the opposite bank of the Rhine is Deutz, 
with which Cologne is connected by an iron bridge 
and by a bridge of boats. The former is a grand 
structure, and worthy of your attention. 

“ Cologne was originally a colony of Rome, from 
which comes its name. Portions of walls built by 'the 
Romans will be pointed out to you, and in the Mu- 
seum are many relics of the same ancient origin. 
Agrippina, the mother of Nero, was born here, her 
father, the Emperor Germanicus, being a resident of 
Cologne at the time. Trajan was here when he v/as 
called to the throne. Clovis was declared king of the 
Franks at Cologne. In the fourteenth century it was 
the most flourishing city of Northern Europe, and one 
of the principal depots of the Hanseatic League, of 
which I spoke to you on a former occasion. It was 
called the Rome of the North, and many Italian cus- 
toms, such as the carnival, are still retained in Cologne, 
though in no other city of this part of Europe. Sev- 
eral causes — the principal of which was the closing 
of the Rhine by the Dutch in the sixteenth century — 
nearly destroyed the commercial importance of the 
place; but the river was opened in 1837, 
is now growing rapidly. 

“ One of the principal objects of interest in Cologne 
is the great cathedral, called in German the Domkii'che. 



YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 32 1 

It is onc'of the largest churches in the world, and if 
completed on the original plan, it will rival St. Peter’s 
at Rome. It is five hundred and eleven feet long by 
two hundred and thirty-one feet wide. The choir is 
one hundred and sixty-one feet high. It has two towers 
in process of erection, which will be five hundred feet 
high, if they are ever completed. It was commenced 
in the year 1248, and the work went on, with occa- 
sional interruptions, till about a hundred years ago, 
when it was suspended by war. Frederick William, 
King of Prussia, on his accession to the throne, caused 
the work to be resumed ; and it required years of labor 
and vast sums of money to make the needed repairs, 
for the structure was a ruin even while it was unfin- 
ished. An association has been formed to insure its 
completion, and the present king, as well as his pred- 
ecessor, has contributed large sums of money. 

“As you came down the river, you saw the huge 
crane, on the summit of one of the towers, used to 
hoist up stone and other materials. It has been there 
for hundreds of years. When it became insecure by 
years of decay, it was taken down ; but a tremendous 
thunder-storm, which occurred soon after, was inter- 
preted by the superstitious citizens as a wrathful pit)- 
test of the Deity at its removal, indicating that the 
people did not intend to complete the work, and it 
was repaired and restored to its original position. Not 
less than twenty years, with the utmost diligence, will 
be required to finish the building, and five millions 
of dollars is the estimated expense.” 

When the professor finished his lecture, the excur- 
sionists organized themselves into little parties to see 
21 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


322 

the sights. As the unruly elements of the squadron 
weie all in the Josephine, the students were per- 
mitted to go when and where they pleased. The 
Blankvilles and the Arbuckles, with Shuffles and 
Paul, hastened to the cathedral, as it was but a short 
distance from the hotel. Sir William was not in at- 
tendance, being engaged with Lord Elfinstone. Dr. 
Winstock, as usual, did much of the talking, being 
entirely familiar with all the localities and traditions 
of the city. 

The Domhof, or square in which the cathedral 
stands, is partly filled with rude sheds, in which the 
stone for the building is hewn, and much of the 
space around the grand structure is covered with 
stone. Entering the church, the party walked to 
the middle of the choir. Its vast height, its lofty col- 
umns, its arches, chapels, and richly-colored windows 
filled them with awe and amazement. It was the 
most magnificent sight they had ever beheld, and with 
one consent they were silent as they gazed upon the 
architectural glories of the structure. They were in- 
terrupted very soon, however, by the appearance of 
an official in the livery of the church, who presented 
a salver for contributions for the completion of the 
building. The earl and Mr. Arbuckle each gave a 
napoleon, and other members of the party gave small 
sums. The gold won the heart of the official, and he 
was very polite. 

Having observed the effect as a whole, the tourists 
proceeded to examine the church in detail. Behind 
the high altar is the shrine of the Three Kings of Co- 
logne. They are represented a§ the Magi, who came 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 323 

from tlie east with presents for the infant Saviour. 
Their bodies are said to have been brought by the 
Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, 
from the Holy Land to Constantinople, and then sent 
to Milan ; and when this city was captured by 
the Emperor Frederick, he presented them to the 
Archbishop of Cologne, who placed them in the prin- 
cipal church. They have always been cherished with 
the greatest veneration ; were enclosed in costly cas- 
kets, and adorned with gold and silver of immense 
value, though these have been mostly purloined, or 
otherwise appropriated. The skulls of the three kings 
are inscribed with their names, in rubies : Caspar^ 
Melchior^ and Balthazar. Those who show the 
tomb of the Magi say its treasures are still worth a 
million of dollars ; but people who go to see sights 
must see them. 

Near the shrine is a slab in the pavement, beneath 
which is buried the heart of Marie de Medicis, wife 
of Henry IV., of France, her body having been sent 
to France. In various parts of the church are ancient 
and valuable paintings, in several of which the Magi 
are introduced. The story of the Three Kings is a 
cherished tradition in several of the cities of this part 
of Europe, and hotels and other public edifices have 
been named for them. 

Passing out of the church, the party walked around 
it, in order to obtain a complete view of the exterior, 
whose grandeur can hardly be overrated, even by the 
enthusiast in architectural beauty. At a bookstore in 
the Domhof the party purchased some views of the 
cathedral. 


3H 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


“ I suppose the ladies will want some cologne, if 
the gentlemen do not,” said Dr. Winstock, with a 
smile. 

“ I want some,” added Paul. “ My mother will be 
delighted with a bottle of cologne from Cologne itself.” 

“ The reputation of the article is world-wide, and 
I suppose many fortunes have been made in the trade. 
Farina was the original inventor, and there are not 
less than twenty-four establishments in this city which 
claim to be the rightful owners of the receipt for the 
pure article. I see that Murray and Fetridge both 
award to Jean Marie Farina the glory of being the 
right one.” 

“The original Jacobs,” laughed Paul. 

“ Yes. His place is opposite the Jiilich’s Platz ; 
and after we have been to the Churches of St. Cunibert 
and St. Ursula, we will call upon him. There is a 
cologne shop,” added the surgeon, as he pointed to 
the opposite side of the Domhof. “ I bought some 
there once, and I found it very good.” 

There are half a dozen churches in Cologne from 
six to eight hundred years old, and our party looked 
at them with interest. The church of St. Ursula and 
the Eleven Thousand Virgins presented to them a very 
remarkable display. The saint went from Brittany to 
Rome with her virgin band. On their return by way 
of the Rhine, they were all massacred at Cologne by 
the savage Huns. The remains of the saint and her 
companions have been gathered together, and en- 
shrined in this church. The bones are buried under 
the pavement, displayed in the walls, or exhibited in 
glass cases. St. Ursula herself lies in a coffin, and 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


325 


near her are the skulls of some of her preferred com- 
panions. The chains of St. Peter, and one of the 
clay vessels which held the wine of Cana, are also 
exhibited. 

Before dinner time, the party reached the Jlilich’s 
Platz, where the original cologne shop is located. A 
blast of the vapor of the fragrant water was blown in 
each of their faces by the aid of a machine made fo^ 
the purpose, and each one bought a supply of the 
genuine article. 

In the afternoon the same party visited the house 
in the Sternengasse, in which Rubens was born and 
Marie de Medicis died. There were objects of interest 
enough in the city to occupy the attention of the ex- 
cursionists till night. 

“ Do you find Cologne a very dirty city?” said tlie 
doctor, as they were returning to the hotel. 

“ Rather so in the old market-place,” replied Mr. 
Arbuckle. “ As a whole, I don’t think it is any dirtier 
than most of the cities of Europe.” 

“ That is just my view. I find that all the guide-, 
hooks and all the works of travel insist upon inserting 
and indorsing Coleridge’s lines on the subject.” 

“What are the lines?” asked Paul. 

Dr. Winstock took his guide-book and read, — 

“Ye nymphs who reign o’er sewers and sinks, 

The River Rhine, it is well-known, 

Doth wash your city of Cologne ; 

But tell me, nymphs, what power divine 
Shall henceforth wash the River Rhine.” 

“ I protest that it is a slander, whatever it may have 
been in former times.” 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


326 

The next morning the tourists took the train for 
Dusseldorf, where they spent the forenoon in examin- 
ing the pictures of the School of Art, which has its 
headquarters in this place, and in a walk through the 
beautiful Hofgarten. From this place a ride of two 
hours brought the party to Aix-la-Chapelle, where 
they dined at the Hotel Grand Monarque. 

‘‘ Aix-la-Chapelle was the birth-place of Charle- 
magne, who also died here,” said Professor Mapps, af- 
ter dinner. “ The German name of the city is Aachen, 
which is derived from Aachs^ meaning a spring. 
There are several warm medicinal springs here, which 
have a considerable reputation for their curative prop- 
erties. The city is called Aix-la-Chapelle from the 
chapel which Charlemagne built. From him the 
place derived its chief importance. He raised it to 
the rank of the second city in his empire, made it 
the capital of all his dominions north of the Alps, 
and decreed that the sovereigns of Germany and of 
the Romans should be crowned here. Between 814 
and 1531, the coronations of thirty-seven kings and 
emperors took place here. 

“ It has been the scene of many Diets and church 
councils, and in modern times several treaties have 
been signed here.” 

The excursionists left the hotel and walked to the 
cathedral, which is probably the oldest church in Ger- 
many. This is the chapel for which the city is named, 
and was intended by Charlemagne as his burial-place, 
it was consecrated by Pope Leo III., assisted by three 
nundred and sixty-five archbishops and bishops. It 
was partially destroyed by barbarians, but was rebuilt 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


327 


by the Emperor Otho III., and much of the primi- 
tive structure still remains. Under the centre of the 
dome is a marble slab in the floor on which are the 
words Carolo Magno, indicating the spot where the 
tomb of Charlemagne was located. It was probably 
a little chapel above ground. It was opened in 116=;, 
and the body was found sitting on a throne, clothed 
in imperial robes, a sceptre in the hand, and a copy 
of the Gospels on the knee. The crown was on the 
bony brow, and his sword and other articles near him. 
All these relics were subsequently used at the corona- 
tion of the emperors, but are now kept at Vienna, 
except the throne, which is still here. 

The church has an abundance of relics, including 
the skull and arm-bone of Charlemagne, though the 
latter has, unfortunately, turned out to be a leg-bone ! 
It is said that the rest of the bones of his body were 
found here in a chest in a dark closet ; but we are not 
told by what means they were identified. If some of 
the apostles, martyrs, and worthies of the past had 
had a dozen skulls each, sight-seers might be more 
credulous. There are also in this church a lock of the 
Virgin’s hair, the leathern girdle of Christ with the 
seal of Constantine upon it, a nail of the cross, the 
sponge which was filled with vinegar for the Sa- 
viour, blood and bones of St. Stephen, and bits of 
Aaron’s rod. 

In addition to these precious articles, the cathedral 
has what are called the Grand Relics, which are 
shown only once in seven years, and then for hut two 
weeks. At the exhibition in i860, half a million peo- 
ple resorted to Aix to see them. Charlemagne re- 


328 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


ceived them direct from the Patriarch of Jerusalei>, 
and from Haroun-al-Raschid. They are enclosed in 
a shrine of silver-gilt, of the workmanship of the 
ninth century. There are four principal articles : 
The cotton robe, five feet long, worn by the Virgin 
at the Nativity ; the swaddling clothes, of a coarse 
yellow cloth like sacking, in which the infant Sa- 
viour was wrapped ; the cloth on which the head of 
John the Baptist was laid ; and the scarf worn by the 
Saviour, at the crucifixion, which bears the stains of 
blood. Other articles, such as religious emblems, are 
doubtless of great antiquity. 

The party visited the H6tel de Ville, on the spot 
where stood the palace of the Frankish kings, in 
which Charlemagne was born. This was the last sight 
to be seen in regular course, and the last city in Ger- 
many which the tourists were to visit that season. It 
had been put to vote whether the company would 
remain in Aix over Sunday, or make a night trip 
to Paris, and the latter had been almost unanimously 
adopted. Captain Shuffles voted agaiivst it, because 
the earl’s party were to remain till Monday ; but he 
gracefully yielded, and the tourists left at eight o’clock. 
Lady Feodora was very sad, and so was Shuffles — 
Sir William was very glad. His lordship was kind 
enough to hope that the acquaintance thus begun 
would be continued by letter, if not possible in any 
other way. 

The excursionists were in Paris at eight o’clock 
the next morning, and most of them had slept very 
well in the cars. They were allowed to attend such 
churches as they pleased, and while some heard the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


329 

fine singing in St. Roch, others listened to Mass in 
Notre Dame, while not a few attended at the Amerh 
can Chapel. 

On Monday forenoon, after breakfast had been 
disposed of in the Hotel du Louvre, Mr. Arbuckle 
requested all the students to assemble in the grand 
dining-room. When they were all in the apartment, 
their kind and liberal friend rose, and was received 
with hearty applause. 

“ Young gentlemen, I thank you for this kindly 
greeting,” said he. “ I shall never forget the debt of 
gratitude I owe you, and I hope, when your squadron 
goes up the Baltic, you will put into Belfast on your 
way. It has afforded me very great pleasure to con- 
tribute something to your instruction and amusement, 
and I most sincerely regret that we must part to-day. 
For myself and my family I thank you for all you 
have done for us.” 

Mr. Arbuckle paused, and Mr. Lowington, for the 
ship’s company, thanked him for his liberal hospitali- 
ty, and assured him that “all hands” would remem- 
ber him and his family as long as they lived. 

“ I thank you, Mr. Lowington ; you are very kind,” 
continued Mr. Arbuckle. “ Allow me to speak a 
word now for my daughter, the Grand Protectress of 
the Order of the Faithful. Some of the young gentle- 
men were saying something about perpetuating the 
association formed on our voyage from Havre to Brest, 
and Grace desired me to provide a suitable emblem 
for that purpose. I took the liberty, when we reached 
Paris, nearly three weeks since, to order a sufficient 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


530 

number of badges for all the members ; and this morn- 
ing I obtained them. They are very neat, and I hope 
they will please you.” 

He held up one of the emblems. 

“ It is a gold anchor, with a star upon it,” continued 
Mr. Arbuckle. “ The word Faithful is inscribed 
upon it. Grace will be happy now to present it to 
each member of the order.” 

The students applauded lustily, and one by one 
they passed before her, and she attached the badge, 
which was made like a breastpin, to the coats of the 
members, over the white ribbons. They were ad- 
monished always to wear them, and always to be 
faithful. The Grand Protectress was warmly cheered 
by the boys, when the ceremony was concluded. The 
hour of parting had come, for the ship’s company was 
to return to Brest, while the Arbuckles proceeded to 
London. There was a general shaking of hands, 
and a general exchanging of kind words. Paul and 
Grace found the occasion a very trying one. What 
promises they made to each other need not be re- 
peated. 

The Arbuckles attended the party to the station, 
and when the last words of farewell had been spo- 
ken, the train moved ofT. The excitement of the ex- 
cursion was ended, and the ride to Brest was rather 
dull. The buoyant spirit of youth, however, soon 
furnished a new hope, and they now looked eagerly 
forward to the meeting of dear friends at home. The 
train arrived at Brest in the evening, and the stu- 
dents slept that night in their berths on board the ship. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 33! 

The next morning the Young America sailed for 
Lisbon. She did not make so quick a passage as 
the Josephine had made, and after a three days’ 
run, dropped anchor in the Tagus ; but the consort 
had not yet arriv'? > 


DOWl^' THE RHINE, OR 




CHAPTER XA 


HOMEWARD BOUND, 



HE moon shone brightly on the deserted deck of 


1 the Josephine after the runaways had departed 
in the four boats, — deserted by all save Bitts, who 
was endeavoring to free himself from the rope by which 
he had been secured. Before the conspirators had 
gone a cable’s length, he succeeded. Reaching the 
rope over his head, he went up, hand over hand, till 
he had slack enough to make a bight for one of his 
feet. Then, holding on with one hand, he loosed the 
rope from his neck with the other, and descended to 
the deck. 

Rogues always overreach themselves. Phillips had 
intended to secure the arms of his prisoner by wind- 
ing a line around his body, but, considering him safe 
without it, he had neglected to do so. If he had done 
this, the runaways might have reached the shore be- 
fore any one could come to the aid of the sufferer. He 
was free in three minutes after Phillips left him. The 
boats were pulling for the shore, and those below were 
laboring to release themselves from their imprison- 
ment. He went to the companion way, and tried to 
open it ; but the nail held it fast. Descending to the 
steerage, he removed the handspike with which the. 
cabin door was fastened. 


\ 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 333 

“ What does all this mean ? ” demanded Mr. Flux- 
ion, as he hastened on deck. 

“ The boys have taken all the boats, and left the ves- 
sel,” replied BItts. 

“ Left the vessel ! ” exclaimed Mr. Fluxion. “ Were 
you asleep on deck?” 

“ No, sir. Half a dozen of them hung me by the 
neck till I w^as nearly choked to death,” pleaded the 
carpenter. 

“Where was Cleats?” 

“ I stepped below for half a minute, and they clapped 
the slide on over me,” answered Cleats, very sheep- 
ishly. 

“ You stepped below ! I ordered you not to leave 
the deck,” added the vice-principal, angrily. “ You 
are responsible for this.” 

“ I did not think the young rascals would do such a 
thing as this,” pleaded the culprit. 

“ I did ; and I told you they would do anything. 
You have disobeyed my orders. Take the helm. 
Gage.” 

Mr. Fluxion glanced at the boats, and gave a few 
hasty orders, by which the Josephine was headed to- 
wards the shore. The cooks and stewards in the fore- 
castle were released, and the chase commenced. 

“ I did not think they were quite so bold as this,” 
said Dr. Carboy. 

“They will do anything. Cleats thinks more of his 
stomach than of his duty, or it would not have hap- 
pened,” replied Mr. Fluxion. “ I have seen the boys 
talking together a great deal on this cruise, and I was 
sure something was brewing. I charged all the ofti- 


334 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


cers not to leave the deck for a single instant. Proba- 
bly the young rascals have been watching for this 
opportunity during the whole cruise.” 

“ It is a very foolish movement on their part,” 
added Dr. Carboy. 

“Yet if they had kept us in the cabin half an hour 
longer, it might have succeeded, for the boats would 
have been out of sight. If they had tied Bitts’s arms 
behind him, it might have been half an hour before 
we could have broken out of the cabin.” 

Mr. Fluxion questioned the watch officers very 
closely in regard to the conduct of the crew on deck, 
and he soon understood the whole matter. He was 
very severe upon Cleats for leaving the deck, declared 
that he could not be trusted, and that he should be 
discharged. The latter was very humble, acknowl- 
edged his error, and made no attempt to palliate it. 
He had always been faithful, so far as was known, and 
probably had never been guilty of any graver offence 
than that of leaving the deck for a few minutes during 
his watch. But he had been expressly cautioned not 
to do this, and had sent a hand below for his lunch, 
until the present time. 

In the boats the runaways were pulling with all 
their might to get out of sight of the Josephine before 
the officers should set themselves at liberty. Perth 
urged the oarsmen in the captain’s gig to the most tre- 
mendous exertion. But in less than ten minutes, and 
before they had made a single mile, they saw the Jose- 
phine fill away, and stand towards them. 

“ Did you fasten Bitts? ” said Perth, to Phillips, who 
was in the gig with him. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


335 


“ I did. He couldn’t get away, I know,” replied 
Phillips. 

“ They are after us, and I’m afraid the game is up,” 
added Perth. “ The Josephine can make two knots 
to our one in this breeze.” 

The leader was very anxious for the result. The 
plan had really failed because the officers had released 
themselves so much sooner than was expected. But 
Perth hoped to make it partially successful. Standing 
up in the gig, he ordered the other boats to separate, 
so that the Josephine could not capture them all at 
once. He directed the first cutter to pull to the north- 
west, while the gig went to the south-west, and the sec- 
ond and third cutters were to take intermediate points. 
The Josephine was headed to the north-west, with the 
evident intention of getting between the boats and the 
shore. The second cutter would therefore be her first 
victim ; and Perth hoped that, by the time she had 
picked up the other three boats, his own would be in 
shoal water, where a schooner of her tonnage could 
not come. 

Little was in command of the first cutter. He 
obeyed the order of Perth, though he saw it would be 
a losing game for his boat. In less than half an hour 
the Josephine came up with him. The wind was due 
east, which gave the vessel every advantage, and she 
came about under the lee of the cutter. 

“ Hold water ! Back her ! ” shouted Little, who 
had prepared his plan of operations, and intended to 
pull dead to windward of her, so that she would have 
to go in stays before she could come up with the boat 
again. 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


33 ^ 

Peaks spoiled his plan by throwing a boat grapnel 
into the fore-sheets of the cutter, and hauling her 
alongside of the Josephine as her sails shook in the 
wind. Cleats dropped into the boat, and, leaping aft, 
seized Little by the collar. Gage followed him, and 
ten of the runaways were captured. Mr. Fluxion 
ordered them on board the vessel, and the two men in 
the boat expedited their movements by some rather 
rough usage. 

The vice-principal said nothing to the discomfited 
crew of the first cutter, but gave his orders to chase 
the second cutter. As the Josephine approached her. 
Peaks and Gage, with two of the stewards, were sent 
off ill the first cutter as the vessel lay to. They 
grappled the boat, and as no one thought of resisting 
Peaks, they were readily captured, and driven upon 
the deck of the schooner. The third cutter was taken 
with no more difficulty. A few moments later, the 
Josephine luffed up under the lee of the gig, having 
towed the first cutter, in which the four men were 
seated, to this position. The boat pulled towards the 
runaways. Perth was desperate when he saw how 
easily he was to be captured. 

“ Bat them over the head with your oars, fel- 
lows ! ” shouted he. “ Don’t let them take you ! ” 

The oarsmen attempted to obey this order, and to 
beat off their pursuers. A brief struggle ensued, in 
which Perth and Phillips fought with desperation ; 
but Peaks succeeded in getting into the gig, and the 
strife was ended. With a blow of his fist the stal- 
wart boatswain justified the traditions of himself, and 
Perth was knocked senseless in the bottom of the 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


337 

boat, while Phillips, with a bleeding face, yielded the 
day. The runaways in the gig were driven to the 
deck, as their companions had been, while Perth was 
handed up by the grim Peaks, put in his berth, and 
attended by Dr. Carboy. 

The long-cherished scheme of Little had ended in 
disaster, and all hands had been captured. The run- 
aways looked at each other with a sort of astonish- 
ment when they found themselves on board again. 
Doubtless they were satisfied that they had not bet- 
tered their condition by what they had done. They 
obeyed whatever orders were given them, for the ter- 
rible Peaks had verified all the stories told of him. 
He had knocked Perth insensible, and badly damaged 
Phillips. It was not safe to refuse to do duty, as some 
of them, in their chagrin, wished to do. 

As soon as the boats were hoisted up, and the 
Josephine headed on her course again, all hands were 
piped to muster. By this time Perth was able to ap- 
pear, for he had only been stunned by the boatswain’s 
fist. A savage lecture from the vice-principal was 
expected ; but instead of that, every one of the crew 
was searched. Perth’s twenty pounds was discovered 
and confiscated, as well as numerous bills on Paris, 
letters of credit, and similar valuable papers. The 
conspirators had put them in their pockets to use on 
shore. Without any further notice of the affair of the 
night, the vice-principal stationed the watch, and dis- 
missed the rest of the crew. 

Mr. Fluxion probably acted on the principle of the 
celebrated schoolmaster who charged all the faults of 
his pupils upon himself. If Cleats had not left the 
22 


338 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


deck, the conspiracy could not have be«n even par- 
tially successful, and he charged all the blame upon 
him. After the affair he increased his own vigilance, 
adding Dr. Carboy to one watch, and the head stew- 
ard to the other, so that another attempt to escape 
must certainly fail. 

“ I never bdieved much in that plan,’* said Her- 
man, the next day, as he and Perth met on deck. 

“ I did. I won’t go back on it now. If we had 
had half an hour more, we should have been safe. 
Phillips didn’t do as he agreed with Bitts,” answered 
the leader. “ He ought to have put a line a dozen 
limes around his body, so that he couldn’t move his 
hands.” 

“ He said he was afraid of actually choking him to 
death.” 

“ Tying his hands would not have choked him.” 

“ Well, whatever the reason was, the plan failed. 
We are played out for this cruise.” 

“Yes, and haven’t seen Paris, Switzerland, Ger- 
many, or the Rhine,” growled Perth. 

“ I suppose it is our own fault.” 

“ Humph ! ” snuffed the conquered leader. 

“ I am satisfied, now, that if we had done our duty, 
we should have had a better time.” 

“ Repent, then,” said Perth, as he turned on his heel. 

Possibly there was no other runaway in the crew 
who confessed as much as this, but it is doubtful 
whether there was one who did not realize the truth 
of the statement. All of them were satisfied that it 
was useless to contend against the discipline of the 
Academy while it was administered by such men as 
the principal and the vice-principal. 


YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 


339 

The Josephine had a fair passage, and reached Lis- 
bon on the day after the Young America had anchored 
in the river. She was loudly cheered when she luffed 
up under the quarter of the ship, but not a sound came 
from the disappointed and disheartened runaways in 
response, and more fully than the sufferers themselves 
did the members of the Order of the Faithful believe 
that the way of the transgressor is hard. 

Mr.. Fluxion immediately went on board of the ship, 
and reported to the principal. For an hour they dis- 
cussed the events of the cruise of the Josephine up the 
Mediterranean ; but both were satisfied that the disci- 
pline of the squadron had been triumphant. Mr. 
Lowington was more indulgent towards Cleats than 
the vice-principal was disposed to be, and he was put 
on probation. 

Before night the original order on board both ves^ 
sels was restored, and again the runaways mingled with 
the faithful ones. Each party had a story to tell, and 
the glories of the beautiful Rhine lost nothing in the 
description given by the tourists. The narrative of 
the adventures of the excursionists was galling to the 
others, for the latter had nothing but sea life to speak 
of, unless it was the harbor of Genoa. It was painful 
to be obliged to say that they had been up the Medi- 
terranean without putting a foot on shore during their 
absence. Certainly those who had done their duty 
could appreciate the pleasures of their trip, after con- 
trasting it with that of the runaways ; and perhaps 
they needed this contrast to enable them fully to real- 
ize the satisfaction which follows right doing. 

Fresh provisions and water were taken in by both 


340 


DOWN THE RHINE, OR 


vessels. Only a few of the students went on shore, 
and those on duty ; and at noon on the day after the 
arrival of the Josephine, the squadron got under way, 
homeward bound. The usual routine on board was 
restored, and the studies of the school-room were 
mingled with the duties of the ship. Only one gale 
disturbed the serenity of the passage, and both vessels 
came to anchor in Brockway harbor, after a voyage 
of thirty days. The runaways had behaved tolerably 
well during the trip, for they had learned that there 
was no safety or satisfaction in rebellion and disobedi- 
ence. They were not reformed, and perhaps never 
will be ; but they were controlled, and saved from a 
vicious life on shore during the period of the cruise. 

Others had been reformed, and converted from evil- 
disposed boys into well-meaning ones. Shuffles and 
Pelham were not the only ones who had been turned 
aside from the error of their ways, though their indi- 
vidual experience has not been detailed. The moral 
results of the voyage were very good. If the disci- 
pline of the ship and her consort had not reformed all 
the vicious characters, it had restrained their evil ten- 
dencies, and kept them away from the haunts of vice, 
though its most pernicious haunt is within the soul of 
the evil-doer. 

On the other hand, the intellectual results of the 
cruise were abundantly satisfactory. The students 
had made excellent progress in their studies, and not 
a few of them were already competent navigators. 
There had been hardly a case of sickness on board, 
and the boys were all in rugged health. Mr. Low- 
ington, therefore, had every reason to be satisfied with 


VOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. 34 1 

the success of his great experiment. He intended to 
make some changes in the vessels, and return to Eu- 
rope the following spring, after spending the winter in 
various ports of the United States. 

The Academy had a vacation during the Christmas 
holidays, and all the students went home. Perth and 
some others declared they should not return, but their 
parents thought otherwise, and with hardly an excep- 
tion, they did return, and the institution continued to 
prosper. 

Shuffles, it need not be said, kept his promise to 
Lady Feodora, and hardly a week passed in which a 
letter did not cross the ocean from him to her, and 
from her to him. One of the latter informed him that 
Lady Feodora had not seen Sir William for a month ; 
for, with her father’s consent, she had dismissed him. 
Paul Kendall spent much of his spare time in writing 
letters which went to Belfast, No doubt Lady Feo- 
dora will, in due time, become Mrs. Shuffles, and 
Grace Arbuckle Mrs. Kendall. It may even be said 
that promises to this effect have already passed be- 
tween the respective parties. Our readers will wish 
them joy, and we heartily join in the hope that life 
will be as happy to them as duty faithfully done can 
make it. 

For the present we take our leave of the Academy 
Squadron, though we hope in the future to be the 
chronicler of more of the travel and adventure in 
foreign lands of Young America Abroad. 





... ' 


* •. •,- •'* vi^'y'' • * .X \\* 


■' '-•Kj • , • . 4 ‘mhS 


kVV.'/ , 
>, 


•T C 1 

...V •. ^ 


-*• 7 , . .V . V • 


V •■' 

> 




\ 


r V 




•^ • r ^ T V* S' • 

7 »« ’■•(. ■'■'' ■> ■ . .■^', > .' . ' i t' .V 

‘ -W'.siws'l^- '•i*'v®^‘.:'' v^',V' ' r'; /•tr -’’ ■‘•.>' ’J 

■• ■ . ' V • • ' ' •' ■'■ ■<■ ''■• ‘- ■■ 

• € * •».••■• ♦ I 


f 


\ J 


'V. 

.-u 'J\‘s -• 


; > 


iV 




'€ • ^ A V ^ • 


t % 

• ♦ . 

if- t t \ 


.M‘ . 

’’ t V .yt ',.t 


> w . V.;- .« 

t ■ .-.J- 




v‘‘V 


r/» 


' w 4*'*9 

^ •-, .>S ..■ -7 fe;.’,: 53. 
i :%:: . , 


*.\N J-’; ■;; ,* .* > ;-^ 


'j- 





•• I. * \ * * ' !• 


f. * 


, • 


Wf ^ -y ^ Kl 


A 

» **A' ^3 * » I ■ 




OLrVE.i OPTICS BOOKS. 


THE BLUE and THE GRAY 

Illustrated. With Emblematic Dies. Each volume hound in 
Blue and Gray. Per volume. $1.50. 


AFLOAT 


TAKEN BY THE ENEMY 
WITHIN THE ENEMY'S LINES 
A VICTORIOUS UNION 


ON THE BLOGKAOE 
STANO BY THE UNION 
FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT 


ON LAND 


BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER 

IN THE SADDLE 

A LIEUTENANT AT EIGHTEEN 


Other volumes in preparation 


The opening of a new series of books from the pen of Oliver Optle 
is bound to arouse the highest anticipation in the minds of boy and girl 
readers. There never has been a more interesting writer in the field of 
juvenile literature than Mr. W. T. Adams, who under his well-known 
pseudonym, is known and admired by every boy and girl in the country, 
and by thousands who have long since passed the boundaries of youth, 
yet wlio remember with pleasure the genial, interesting pen that did so 
much to interest, instruct and entertain their younger years. The pres- 
ent volume opens “ I’lie Blue and the Gray Series,” a title that is sutti. 
ciently indicative of the nature and spirit of the series, of which the first 
volume is now presented, while the name of Oliver Optic is sufficient 
warrant of the absorbing style of narrative. “ Taken by the Enemy,” 
the first book of the series, is as bright and entertaining as any work that 
Ml. Adams has yet put forth, and will be as eagerly perused as any that 
has borne his name. It would not be fair to the prospective reader to 
deprive him of the zest which comes from the unexpected, by entering 
into a synopsis of the story. A word, however, should be said in regard 
ko the beauty and appropriateness of the binding, which makes it a most 
attractive /olume.— Boston Budget, 

” Taken by the Enemy” has just come from the press, an announce- 
ment that cannot but appeal to every healthy boy from ten to fifteen 
years of age in the country. ” No writer of the present day,” says the 
Boston Commomoealtk, ” whose aim has been to hit the boyish heart, has 
been as successful as Oliver Optic. There is a period in the life of every 
youth, just about the time that he is collecting postage-stamps, and 
before his legs are long enough for a bicycle, when he has the Oliver 
Optic fever. He catches it by reading a few stray pages somewhere, and 
then there is nothing for it but to let the matter take its course. Relief 
comes only when the last page of the last book is read ; and then there 
are relapses whenever a new book appears until one is safely on through 
the teens.” — Literary News. 


OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS 


All-Over-The-World Library 

Illustrated Per Volume Sil.35 


FIRST SERIES 

A MISSIKG MILLION or the Adventures of Louis Belgrave 
A MILLIONAIRE AT SIXTEEN or The Cruise of the Guardian Mother 
A YOUNG KNIGHT ERRANT or Cruising in the West Indies 
STRANGE SIGHTS ABROAD or A Voyage in European Waters 


SECOND SERIES 

~THE AMERICAN BOYS AFLOAT or Cruising in the Orient 
THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS or The Foreign Cruise of the Maud 
UP AND DOWN THE NILE or Young Adventurers in Africa 
ASIATIC BREEZES or Students on the Wing (in press) 


THIRD SERIES 

ACROSS INDIA or Live Boys in the Far East 
HALF ROUND THE WORLD or Among the Uncivilized 
FOUR YOUNG EXPLORERS or Sight-Seeing in the Tropics 
PACIFIC SHORES or Adventures in Eastern Seas 


“ The bare announcement of a new series of books by Oliver Optic 
will delight boys all over the country. When they further leain that their 
favorite author proposes to ‘ personally conduct ’ his army of readers on 
a grand tour of the world, there will be a terrible scramble for excursion 
tickets — that is, the opening volume of the ‘ Globe Trotting Series.’ Of 
one thing the boys may be dead sure : it will be no tame, humdrum jour, 
ney; for Oliver Optic does not believe that fun and excitement are in- 
jurious to boys, but, on the contrary, if of the right kind, he thinks it 
does them good.” — Current Review. 


LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers Boston 


OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS. 


AEMY AND NAVY STORIES. 

Six Volunics. Illustrated. Per vol., $1.25. 


1. THE SOLDIER BOY ; 

Or, Tom Somers in the Army. 

3. THE SAILOR BOY; 

Or, Jack Somers in the Navy. 

3. THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT; 

Or, Adventures of an Army Office! 

4. THE YANKEE MIDDY; 

Or, Adventures of a Navy Officer. 

5. FIGHTING JOE ; 

Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Offioer. 

6 . BRAVE OLD SALT ; 

Or, Life on the Quarter-Deck. 


Tills series of six volumes recounts the adventures of two 
brothers, Tom and Jack Somers, one in the army, the other in 
the navy, in the great civil war. The romantic narratives of 
the fortunes and exploits of the brothers are thrilling in the 
extreme. Historical accuracy in the recital of the greafi 
events of that iieriod is strictly followed, and the result ia 
not only a library of entertaining volumes, but also the b^fll 
history of the civil war for 3'oung people ever written. 


OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS. 


YOUNG AMEEICA ABEOAD. 

PIKST SERIES. 

A Iii#rary of Travel and Adventure in Foreign Fiands. IGmo. 
Illustrated by IVast, Stevens, Perkins, and otbers. 

Per volume, $1.25. 


1. OUTWARD BOUND; 

Or, Young America Afloat. 

2. SHAMROCK AND THISTLE; 

Or, Young America in Ireland and Scotland. 

3. RED CROSS; 

Or. Young America in England and Wales. 

4. DIKES AND DITCHES; 

Or, Young America in Holland and Belgium. 

5. PALACE AND COTTAGE; 

Or, Young America in France and Switzerland. 

o. DOWN THE RHINE; 

Or, Young America in Germany. 


The stoi:^' from its inception and through the twelve vol 
ames (^tsee Second Series ) , is a bewitching one, while the in- 
formation imparted, concerning the countries of Europe and 
the isles of the sea, is not only correct in every particular, but 
is told in a captivating style. “ Oliver Optic” will continue 
to be the boy’s friend, and his pleasant books will continue to 
he read by thousands of American bo^^s. What a fine holiday 
present either or both series of “ Young America Abroad” 
would be for a young friend ! It would make a little librar} 
highly prized by the recipient, and would not be an expensive 
one. — Providence Press, 


OLIVER OPTIC’S BOOKS. 


YOUNG AMERICA ABROADi; 

SECOND SERIES. 

A. I»lbrary of Travel and Adventure in Foreign Liands. 16mo. 
Illustrated by JVast, Stevens, Perkins, and others. 

Per volume, $1.35. 


1. UP THE BALTIC; 

Or, Young America in Norway, Sweden, and 
Denmark. 

2. NORTHERN LANDS; 

Or, Young America in Russia and Prussia. 

3 . CROSS AND CRESCENT; 

Or, Young America in Turkey and Greece. 

4. SUNNY SHORES; 

Or, Young America in Italy and Austria. 

5 . VINE AND OLIVE; 

Or, Young America in Spain and Portugal. 

6. ISLES OF THE SEA; 

Or, Young America Homeward Bound. 

Oliver Optic” in a nom deplume that is known and loved 
by almost every bo}^ of intelligence in the land. We have 
seen a highly intellectual and world-weary man, a cynic whose 
heart was somewhat imbittered by its large experience of 
human nature, take up one of Oliver Optic’s books and read 
it at a sitting, neglecting his work in yielding to the fascina- 
tion of the pages. When a mature and exceedingly well 
informed mind, long despoiled of all its freshness, can thus 
find pleasure in a book for boys, no additional words of rec- 
ommendation are needed. — Sunday Times. 


OLIVER OPTIC'S BOORS, 


THE BOAT-BUILDER SERIES. 

OMipl«t«d la 8tk Volames. Illastratad. 

Par VaL, $1.26. 


I. ALL ADRIFT ; 

Or, Tliie Ooldwlnc dab. 

t. SNUG HARBOR; 

Or, The Ckamplain M aii fc— 

3. SQUARE AND COMPASS; 

Or. Build ins the HavM. 

4. STEM TO STERN ; 

Or, Bolldins tifc« Baat. 

5. ALL TAUT ; 

Or, Risslnir the Boa*. 

6. READY ABOUT ; 

Or^ Sailiac tb« Baa*. 


The series includes in six successive volumes the whole 
Art of boat-building, boat rigging, boat managing, and prac- 
tical hints to make the ownership of a boat pay. A great 
deal of useful information will be given in this Boat-Building 
series, and in^ach book a very interesting story is sure to be 
interwoven with the information. Every reader will be inter 
ested at once in “ Dory,” the hero of “All Adrift,” and one 
of the characters to be retained in the future volumes of the 
series, at least there are already several of bis recently made 
friends who do not want to lose sight of him, and this will be 
the case of pretty much every boy who makes his acquaint 
Ance in “All Adrift” 


OLIVER UFTlC’S BOOKS. 


IHE STAEEY FLAG SEMES 

Six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol, 


1. THE STARRY FLAG; 

Or, The Young Fisherman of Cape Auii* 

8. BREAKING AWAY; 

Or, The Fortunes of a Student 

i. SEEK AND FIND; 

Or, The Adventures of a Smart Bop 

*. FREAKS OF FORTUNE; 

Or. Half Round the World. 

MAKE OR BREAK; 

Or, The Rich Man's Danglitet. 

5. DOWN THE RIVER; 

Or, Buck Bradford and the Tprants 


11 r. Adams, the celebrated and popular writer, familiatl 
known as “ Oliver Optic,” seems to have inexhaustible funcJs 
for weaving together the virtues of life ; and notwithstanding 
ho has written scores of books, the same freshness and nov* 
elt}' runs through them all. Some people think the seusa* 
tional element predominates. Perhaps it does. But a lK>ojt 
for young people needs this : and so /ong as good sentinieaLt 
ftiQ ijBiculca oed such books ought to be read* 


OLIVER OPTIC 6 BOOKS. 


THE LAKE SHOSE SERIES. 

Six Tolum«8. Illustrated. In neat box. Per vol.t $1.99. 


1. THROUGH BY DAYLIGHT; 

Or, The Young Engineer of the Lake Shore 
Railroad. 

8. LIGHTNING EXPRESS; 

Or, The Rival Academies. 

«. ON TIME; 

Or, The Young Captain of the Vtaff. Steamot 

4. SWITCH OFF; 

Or, The War of the Stndtsnts. 

B. BRAKE-UP; 

Or, The Young Peacemakers. 

6. BEAR AND FORBEAR; 

Or, The Young Skij;>j'*^{r of Lake Lcayga. 


Oliver Optic” is one of the most fascinating writers for 
youth, and withal one of the best to be found in this or any 
past age. Troops of young people hang over his vivid pages, 
and not one of them ever learned to be mean, ignoble, cow 
Ardly, selfish, or to yield to any vice from anything they evet 
read from his pen. — Providence Press, 





r 

L I' 


fel 


/ 






r 


• < H' 


- . " 


^ 




• ; 


« ^ 


f ' 






V- 


‘r 


i 1; •^0.* .^Av-^ 


s'l 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 


. t • • ^ ' ' ' ' * • * • • • * ' ' * • ' \' • * 'I, • • • . , 





.•'• 'vv-'i: "V: ' : 

•' ■ ;*■• '■•• •■•. ■ • 'i’-;-' '•■ '-•••■ ■•'i 

•’ ■' -• • '' .' '' '•■’■• ^ -v •; 

:/y^yyy/y,y,‘/. 'V- 

■ ■' 






' .-yy/y ■ ; 
• ' • ' •''‘■y. • '■ ■ 



'y y,‘ ' y-'x', , , .■ ■ ' '■ ■ ■ ,‘.u . . .y-' ■''.,■■■■■•■. ,■ ■.'.'■•> ' 

yy'yy/^ly'y/"'-^--': ' ' ^ ;V, V: ,y • v,.-.''. >V ' -^'^’y'"'y ':<•-•••, ; ' 

V-yy- y- yy yyyy:yy:yry -^ - 


■ ■ 


■ ZZ: 

'ryyyy.— 


Zz'y-Z. 

: /-■•yyy. 


'• •' '■ ‘ . •. '• 

' j'.***- ^ 

vV'^ . 

\ ' fjy 'z/ VJ%‘ ' 

i *. \ i' •' * y •* 














v/y-:': 




